Meet Riley Auman

Riley Auman is a freshman at Cornell University, where she’s pursuing a double major in Economics and Philosophy to explore the intersection of strategic decision-making and ethics. On campus, she’s actively involved in student governance, pre-professional organizations, and– of course– the performing arts. She is an Arts & Sciences Ambassador, a voting member of the Student Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, a member of the Cornell Intellectual Property and Ethics Club, Events Organizer for the Classics Society, and a vocalist for the CU Jazz Department, as well as Nothing But Treble: Cornell’s oldest all-female a cappella group.

In high school, she performed with a nationally recognized jazz big band, earning a spot as a Finalist in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition. She has also been involved in musical theater, performing lead roles each year in her high school’s musical productions and was recognized as a Top 10 Finalist for the Durham Performing Arts Center Rising Stars Awards in 2024.

Whether she’s analyzing complex economic systems, organizing initiatives to support her peers, or performing on stage, she brings creativity, discipline, and a passion for meaningful impact to everything she does.