Hilary Hickingbotham ’10 - Stevenson School
Source: https://stevensonschool.org/2026/03/23/hilary-hickingbotham-10
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:15
Hilary Hickingbotham ’10 - Stevenson School
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Hilary Hickingbotham ’10
When Hilary Hickingbotham ’10 graduated from Stevenson in 2010, she set out on a path that would take her from engineering labs to clinical research, and from wilderness trails around the world then back to the mountains with Stevenson students. Along the way, she has built a career in STEM, explored some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, and remained deeply connected to the Stevenson community that helped shape her journey.
A Path Through Engineering, Statistics and Clinical Research
After Stevenson, Hilary attended the University of Vermont, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. She started her career as a manufacturing engineer in aerospace, then moved to Salt Lake City for a role in the medical device field. Later, she returned to school for a master’s in statistics at the University of Utah, which led to her work as a biostatistician on national clinical trials.
“Being part of clinical research was really exciting, an opportunity to work on the forefront of medical innovation,” Hilary said. Now, she is taking a well-earned pause to travel, spend time with her husband Taylor, read widely, and tackle a few home renovation projects. She has also recently returned to Stevenson as a leader for this year’s EXPO.
A Family of Pirates
For Hilary, being a Pirate is a family tradition. Her father, Deven ’74, was known for attending countless Stevenson sporting events with his camera, capturing action shots from the sidelines. “It felt like a badge of honor when a fellow student would see a cool photo of themself online, knowing that my dad took it,” she recalls. Her brother Carter ’08 and her mother Renee, considered an honorary Pirate, join her in continuing the family legacy.
The Teacher Who Sparked a STEM Path
Looking back, one classroom moment had a lasting influence on Hilary’s career path. In Algebra I with Mr. Akcan, she finished a test early, but he had her wait while he graded it immediately. She had aced the exam, and he encouraged her to pursue STEM because of her mathematical strengths. That moment sparked her love of math and science and helped shape her future.
The Lasting Impact of EXPO
Of all her Stevenson experiences, EXPO has been the most transformative. Hilary had never camped or backpacked before her sophomore trip, but the experience opened a whole new world. In her junior and senior years, she served as a student co-leader, gaining even more confidence in the backcountry.
“Backpacking has taken me from Alaska and Patagonia to New Zealand and the Italian Dolomites,” she says. Returning as a leader this year, she was eager to share her love of the outdoors with current sophomores, helping them rise to the challenge of EXPO while fostering a sense of adventure.
Advice for Today’s Pirates
Hilary offers one simple piece of guidance: “Get a library card wherever you live. Libraries give you access to books, audiobooks and eBooks, opening doors to new worlds and letting you step away from everyday life, even if just for a little while.”
An independent Pre-K–12 boarding and day school located on California’s Monterey Peninsula
Carmel Campus
Grades Pre-K–8
Street address: 24800 Dolores Street, Carmel, CA 93923
Mailing address: P.O. Box AP, Carmel, CA 93921
T: 831.574.4600
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Pebble Beach Campus
Grades 9–12
3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
Need Pebble Beach access? Contact us before visiting.
T: 831.625.8300
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Notice of Non Discriminatory Policy:
Stevenson School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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Hilary Hickingbotham ’10
When Hilary Hickingbotham ’10 graduated from Stevenson in 2010, she set out on a path that would take her from engineering labs to clinical research, and from wilderness trails around the world then back to the mountains with Stevenson students. Along the way, she has built a career in STEM, explored some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, and remained deeply connected to the Stevenson community that helped shape her journey.
A Path Through Engineering, Statistics and Clinical Research
After Stevenson, Hilary attended the University of Vermont, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. She started her career as a manufacturing engineer in aerospace, then moved to Salt Lake City for a role in the medical device field. Later, she returned to school for a master’s in statistics at the University of Utah, which led to her work as a biostatistician on national clinical trials.
“Being part of clinical research was really exciting, an opportunity to work on the forefront of medical innovation,” Hilary said. Now, she is taking a well-earned pause to travel, spend time with her husband Taylor, read widely, and tackle a few home renovation projects. She has also recently returned to Stevenson as a leader for this year’s EXPO.
A Family of Pirates
For Hilary, being a Pirate is a family tradition. Her father, Deven ’74, was known for attending countless Stevenson sporting events with his camera, capturing action shots from the sidelines. “It felt like a badge of honor when a fellow student would see a cool photo of themself online, knowing that my dad took it,” she recalls. Her brother Carter ’08 and her mother Renee, considered an honorary Pirate, join her in continuing the family legacy.
The Teacher Who Sparked a STEM Path
Looking back, one classroom moment had a lasting influence on Hilary’s career path. In Algebra I with Mr. Akcan, she finished a test early, but he had her wait while he graded it immediately. She had aced the exam, and he encouraged her to pursue STEM because of her mathematical strengths. That moment sparked her love of math and science and helped shape her future.
The Lasting Impact of EXPO
Of all her Stevenson experiences, EXPO has been the most transformative. Hilary had never camped or backpacked before her sophomore trip, but the experience opened a whole new world. In her junior and senior years, she served as a student co-leader, gaining even more confidence in the backcountry.
“Backpacking has taken me from Alaska and Patagonia to New Zealand and the Italian Dolomites,” she says. Returning as a leader this year, she was eager to share her love of the outdoors with current sophomores, helping them rise to the challenge of EXPO while fostering a sense of adventure.
Advice for Today’s Pirates
Hilary offers one simple piece of guidance: “Get a library card wherever you live. Libraries give you access to books, audiobooks and eBooks, opening doors to new worlds and letting you step away from everyday life, even if just for a little while.”
An independent Pre-K–12 boarding and day school located on California’s Monterey Peninsula
Carmel Campus
Grades Pre-K–8
Street address: 24800 Dolores Street, Carmel, CA 93923
Mailing address: P.O. Box AP, Carmel, CA 93921
T: 831.574.4600
Map/Directions
|
Campus Map
Request Information
Pebble Beach Campus
Grades 9–12
3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
Need Pebble Beach access? Contact us before visiting.
T: 831.625.8300
Map/Directions
|
Campus Map
Request Information
Copyright 2025 | Stevenson Boarding & Day School |
Policies
|
Privacy
|
Ethicspoint
|
School Directory
|
Employment
Notice of Non Discriminatory Policy:
Stevenson School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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