Class of 2020
Major: Health Sciences
School: University of the Sciences
“Science itself has always been an interest of mine, though not every aspect of science has intrigued me as much as the components that go into the medical field. Many people in the health field are compassionate, with a desire to help whoever they can. While science has always been a passion of mine, I believe that there needs to be more diversity in the medical field, and I know that I can be a part of a necessary change. I am currently studying Health Sciences and working towards a certificate in Medicine and Hispanics. I am prepared to do anything in my power to make a better future for underrepresented communities, one step at a time.”
Major: Environmental Studies and Health, Medicine, and Society
School: Lehigh University
“I have always been passionate about improving urban living because of the neglect I saw amongst these communities as I was growing up. Urban neighborhoods seem to always be at the bottom of the priority list when discussing environmental reform in the United States. I have chosen to dedicate my college studies to learning about these environmental issues and how to customize methods in addressing these complex issues. These issues are not going away and, in fact, seem to be intensifying every day. An individual who genuinely cares about the neighborhood and has loved ones living amongst them is what is needed to ensure environmental concerns are being addressed and a partnership is being developed within these communities. As a college student, I am gathering as much information and experiences to ensure I can effectively fulfill this role. For instance, I am currently on a research team creating a mobile application that will provide individualized advice to residents of Almaty, Kazakhstan, which aims to alleviate exposure to daily air pollution. I view these experiences and knowledge as powerful tools and will continue to take advantage of every opportunity so I can be ready to apply them to the complexities of urban living back at home.”
Major: Undeclared – First-Year Exploratory Studies (STEM)
Minor: Physics
School: Drexel University
“My passions are computer science and physics. I absolutely love doing mathematics, coding, solving physics problems, and running. Just building and testing an algorithm to see if it can solve a puzzle feels comfortable for me. I try to read and write in my free time, which has been admittedly little due to college coursework. At this very moment, I am in the heart of Drexel’s computer science curriculum, and I will soon be fully transferring over to being a computer science student. Coming into college, I needed to fulfill my requirements to join this major, and so with tenacity and motivation, I strive into Drexel’s computer science field with a minor in physics. I’m part of the Drexel Dragons run club where we are social distance running and having group meetups through zoom to have that sense of community. Once I’m on campus, I plan to create my own club where we build inventions that could potentially help the Drexel community. With my computer science degree, I intend to start up numerous businesses and nonprofits where I can apply my computer science expertise to better society as a whole. An example would be the blind spots of education. For instance, why isn’t there an intuitive personal finance website that’s available to the public to learn more about investing, debt management, and building a business? To achieve my goals, I will use my connections at Drexel to help me with the knowledge outside of my expertise.”
Major: Computer Science
School: Penn State University – Harrisburg
“My name is Bryce Mcleod, and for years I feared my future. I saw nothing but failure and disappointment, with me in the center of it. Safe to say, l was a very pessimistic person. I had a passion for technology and enjoyed researching its related topics. However, I hated the concept of going to college to take stressful tests and write hundreds of essays. I knew I needed to overcome these fears to truly pursue my passion, but I was too scared of failure and too confused to make decisions. And so I slipped into a deep depression that destroyed my perspectives and hopes of a happier life. While my academics were at their highest, my mental state slowly dissipated into insanity. Fortunately, I was able to break out of my depression, and with that relief, gained a refined and brighter perspective of society. It wasn’t the same perspective I had before; it was quite the opposite; it was clarity. I saw people from a different lens; I thought of topics with a different mindset, a positive mindset. I am attending college not just to pursue my dream of becoming a Computer Scientist, but to also use it as a platform to speak out to people that have gone or are going through struggles similar to mine. Coming from a dark place, I will use my newly found traits for the betterment of myself. And soon, for the betterment of our world and the people in it.”
Major: Computer Science
School: Princeton University
“As a first-generation, low-income college student, whose passions lie in STEM, I oftentimes share my passions with young learners within my community. My experiences in volunteering with children have very much shaped how I view the world today, as I’ve come to the realization that I enjoy shaping the minds of the future generation of America. More specifically, I hope to achieve my goal of inspiring more young black girls, like myself, to enter the STEM field. While I’d always had an inclination towards math and science, being a black woman in a white male-dominated field has discouraged me from pursuing certain special opportunities. By being a fearless, powerful leader, I hope to inspire the future generation of black female scientists and engineers while volunteering throughout my years in college and beyond.
In addition, within the computer science field, I am most interested in human-computer interaction (HCI). Researching specifically human-computer interaction, I want to gain an understanding of how people use technology to interact with other people, then develop more effective ways for these interactions. Many physicists believe that mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can be rooted back to the use of technology. While the digital age has made our lives significantly easier, it has also caused people to become addicted to technology, becoming hermits to the outside world. This causes a decrease in the quality of life, as humans rely on social interaction in order to stay healthy. As research and development continue in human-computer interaction, I would absolutely love to evaluate the impact the interaction with technology has on mental health. Nothing excites me more than the quickly innovative state of the technology industry. My dream is to enter this field, working alongside other researchers, to develop sophisticated technology that will aid us in our daily lives.”
Major: Undeclared
School: Lehigh University
“After college, I plan on attending law school. I want to become a politician and create policy to help people. I want to enhance the current system in place to benefit the masses. My education should aid me in diagnosing the issues and resolve them. It is important that my education prepares me to enter the political thicket and to change the world.
I am a visionary. I want to devote my life to fighting for what is equitable. I am in pursuit of a career to bolster my interests in helping others. Likewise, I am intrigued by the theory of existentialism, and I believe the ideas of existentialism parallel the causes of injustice. I want a fundamental understanding of the meaning of life to comprehend better the core of human morality and how to make the world a more equitable place. As a frequent traveler, I have witnessed the way the world operates. I plan to study abroad in order to continue to examine the world for myself and have a meaningful impact on others. Though I am not sure which major I will pursue, I am planning to further my education, attend law school, and eventually enter the world of politics.”
Major: Middle Grades Education
School:West Chester University
“I am interested in the field of education. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. I always tell people that I want to be “The best teacher to ever walk foot on this earth.” I have an unfathomable amount of passion for education and teaching. I’ve found that teaching is an extremely fun career. I may not make a lot of money, but I will be doing something that I like doing. That’s what makes it worth it.
Additionally, there is a huge disservice to our school’s youth. Education is one of the only things in the world that keep people out of prison. Once I found out that people estimate the trajectory of how many prisons there will be in the future based on elementary reading scores, I set my aspirations in stone. I want to combat any injustice that our youth face in the field of education. I will make it my mission to change the face of education.”
Major: Social Work
Minor: Community Health Education
School: Mansfield University
“Growing up, I always viewed the world as an opportunity to make my mark. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to leave my mark by helping and bettering the lives of others. I couldn’t decide in which way I would help people, whether it would be nursing, therapy, teaching, or another aspect. I finally realized that I would help people by majoring in Social Work and minoring in community health education. With the knowledge I gain from the two, I plan to start by upgrading the quality of lives for not only children but adults in my hometown. My first step will be to become a social worker or case manager for families and veterans. Eventually, I will become a grant writer to have more subsidies and grants offered to the people of Philadelphia. These are just a few of the many things I plan to do to make my mark on this world.”
Major: Mass Communications
School: Lincoln University
“I want a career in the Communications field so that I can continue to use my voice to affect change. I believe that a career in either journalism or communications will broaden my ability to speak the truth and engage people to make positive changes. Though college will be a financial hardship, I will do whatever it takes to earn a degree and use it to bring change. I have so many academic interests at this point it is hard to narrow down, but I do know that I ultimately want to help people find their voice. From the young girl struggling to fit in in high school to the only Black child in a classroom seeking understanding in a school where no one looks like them, I want to help them find their voice. I see this small act of advocacy as a key to my future. I will use my college education to continue questioning those in leadership positions and seeking answers for the common people. I want to be the change I wish to see in the world and ultimately hope to bring change to my community following my graduation from college.”
Major: Pharmaceutical Science
School: Temple University
“My ultimate commitment in life is to support underprivileged communities to give them leverage for success and contentment. I aspire to be a pharmacist because I want to be able to improve everyone’s health and way of life. I want to be able to provide medication that will give renewed vitality if necessary while also combatting substance abuse through pharmacist-patient interactions. I will immerse myself in internships and new experiences during my time in undergraduate school and pursue pharmacy school in the future through my BS/PharmD program. Currently, I work for Jumpstart to strengthen underprivileged students’ literacy skills and create educational equity. As a first-generation, low-income student, I know that a good support system is always necessary to uplift people and help overcome any socioeconomic conditions that discourage people from achieving their best.”
Major: Welding Technology
School: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
“Ever since I was little, I figured out I like to put objects together when I put building blocks together. I learned how to assemble my own TV at age 15 by myself, and from then on, I have had the courage to take things apart and put them back together. I just like to fix items and am excited by the idea of supporting myself financially by doing what I love. My career goal is to be a future welder. My passion for welding is to fix objects and repair metal components. I have had an interest in the welding field for along time. I have studied in the library and watched videos on welding to get a head start before I officially considered becoming a welder. When I get my associate’s degree, I will apply it to the workforce to be a welder to repair objects and apply my skills. I am also excited to develop and to use my thinking and problem-solving skills, strong- professional communications skills, and finally to work together as part of a team in a workshop environment. My specific interest in the welding field is assembly; I want to be an assembler because I like to put items together. Finally, I like to see my finished product.”
Major: Undeclared
School: Gettysburg College
“My passion for being an astronomer has been influenced by my childhood. My ever-growing wonders of the concept of space and planets are the reasons why I want to major in this career. I want to dedicate my time to making new discoveries about how our universe works. And I hope that someday I could play a part in making a groundbreaking discovery that not only benefits me but the human race as a whole. I also plan to play soccer, which is a sport I have loved ever since childhood. I hope to carry on my family’s wish of becoming both a professional soccer player and an astronomer.”
Major: Theater
School: Temple University
“I am interested in the career of acting because it is what I live and breathe. As of now, I can’t see myself following any other path. Art can spread awareness about the hardships of the world and I love to take on the burden of other’s stories and share them with an audience who may be unaware. I also believe, like Leo, that the attention and platform you receive as a celebrity is the key to change. I will use my platform to spread hope for change and give back to the communities in need, especially my own.”
Major: Nursing
School: Drexel University
“The opportunities I gained from high school have sparked me to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. As a trilingual speaker, I was able to see insufficient medical care in underserved communities. Therefore, I am always willing to volunteer, especially for opportunities where people need help with translation. Seeing people appreciate my translation on a personal level has empowered me to pursue a field in which I can support patients beyond language. I am currently trying to get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Drexel before I go to graduate school to become a nurse practitioner.”
Major: Undeclared
School: Drexel University
“When I began participating in the Engineering Club caused me to become intrigued by the field of engineering. I learned different engineering concepts, and I became familiar with different tools and collaborated with other members. I enjoyed working on projects that the club introduced, especially one project that involved creating a robot that would pick up recycled bottles and cans. After completing that project, I learned that following the basic concepts of the engineering process inspired me to become determined to reach a common goal with my teammates and share ideas in achieving it. My school’s engineering club showed me different kinds of engineering, ranging from electrical to civil engineering. Each field’s concepts encouraged me to research it and become interested in having a career in engineering. After my junior year, I took a computer programming class using JAVA. The class inspired me to conduct more research about computers, which led me to choose a career in computer engineering and computer science.”
Major: Mechanical Engineering
School: Villanova University
“I am interested in pursuing a degree in the Engineering field. I am currently most interested in Mechanical Engineering, but the engineering field I am interested in most could change over time. I have always been interested in studying in a STEM field, and I have been extremely involved in the Engineering program at school throughout my almost-four years there. I have spent over a thousand hours studying engineering because Science Leadership Academy offers a three-year CTE Engineering program for students to apply for.”
Major: Marketing
School: University of San Francisco
“I want to major in marketing and become a social media coordinator. I have always found interest in marketing because I do makeup, and I try my best to promote my products and services. I have dabbled on YouTube and Instagram through my love for makeup, and I noticed that there are not many African American influencers in the industry. I want to peruse social media marketing as a way to diversify the social media industry because representation in all forms of media is very important to me.
This scholarship will help me pay it forward because I will continue to serve my community while in college. With this scholarship, I will have the opportunity to pay my college tuition. During the next four years, I want to serve in community service projects, take up student government, and change the issues that plague our generation, like climate change, school-related depression, and sexual assault. In the past, I have been an activist for student mental health, minority equality in the American school system and an active member in my local and school community. I view college as a bigger and better platform to continue to change the world. The Herb it Forward foundation prides itself on giving back and optimism. I exemplify those values perfectly, and with the opportunity to share my story, I can pay it forward.”
Major: Political Science and Women & Gender Studies
Minor: Spanish
School: Bucknell University
“In 2024, I will be the first in my family to graduate from a University and pursue a career in Law. Growing up in South Philadelphia was pretty rough. At a young age, I witnessed my mother work two jobs to support my sister and I. Witnessing my mother’s sacrifice and hard work to provide my sister and I with the best lifestyle possible. I was determined that I would not become a statistic. Since the 7th or 8th grade, I was destined to become a Criminal Defense Attorney to fight and advocate for those who are poorly represented and wrongfully convicted. This aspiration has blossomed tremendously since I’ve begun my college journey, after taking courses on the history of colonialism and international politics, my primary goal now is to help change the majority’s perceptions of underdeveloped countries, and to do so, I think we need to step back from our own biases, privilege, and individualist mindset of us vs. them and/or me vs. you, and start collectively supporting and bringing awareness to the years of oppression and inequality other nations have encountered. The fight against inequality isn’t easy because there have been systems put into place that will continue to favor the majority, all while serving as a detriment to the minority, but by applying my knowledge and research, my long-term goal is to become a legislator. We need more African-American women in politics, and with my knowledge and drive, I will implement laws favoring everyone in America, and not just one particular group. If we want to truly see change within the world, we need more people who are willing to and are strong enough to dismantle a system that has been built to continuously oppress minority individuals. In the future, I see a world where everyone and anyone can live in their true skin without the fear of being judged or life being threatened. Martin Luther King. Jr once said, ‘I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.'”
“The career that I am trying to accomplish is to become a pilot. I have already had an intro flight which was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I want to become a pilot because when I was younger, I visited my parents’ country, Honduras, and it was my first time getting on a plane. I remember looking in the cockpit, and the captain and second officer were there. I was so amazed, and from that day, I knew I wanted to become a pilot. Planes, for me, are something that I always dream about, and no matter what anyone says, one day, I will be wearing my uniform and flying around the world.”
Major: Psychology
School: Temple University
“I am passionate about helping my community in every way I can. I am a psychology major at Temple University, and I intend to take it to the doctorate level! The youth is our future. I had an extremely difficult upbringing, so I am destined to help the youth in any way possible.”
Major: Engineering
School: Drexel University
“I have always been passionate about the field of engineering, and because of this, I am majoring in engineering. As of right now, I am engineering undeclared, but I am leaning towards either mechanical or computer engineering. During my time at Drexel, I plan to go on co-ops to gain experience in the field and network with professionals who will be able to help me. I have always wanted to do research in college because it seems interesting to me. Because of that, I plan to do research during the summer to gain experience in engineering and find what I am passionate about. I plan to get my bachelor’s and master’s degree from Drexel by doing the accelerated degree program.”
Major: Biology
Minor: Health, Medicine, and Society
School: Lehigh University
“After graduating from Lehigh University, I plan to become a physician’s assistant. The health care field has also been a passion of mine, but the biggest thing that draws me into it is that I will be able to be one of the first people in contact with the patient. I believe that this is the most crucial in making the patient’s time at the hospital or doctor’s office a better time. I am currently apart of the pre-med club at Lehigh and volunteered at one of the surrounding hospitals nearby.”
Major: Nursing
School: University of Pennsylvania
“Growing up, my family emphasizes the importance of giving back and pursuing higher education. As the only person in the household who can speak both Chinese and English, I had to provide translation, many of which took place in a healthcare setting. It made me realize the hardships immigrant families like mine faced in receiving quality healthcare. As a result, I aspired to be a prospective leader who can promote health equity, leading to my career choice as a nurse.
In addition, I hope to further my education by attending graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. During my time in high school, I was actively involved in my school’s community and took on roles related to promoting community service among my peers. As the community service liaison of NHS, I organized blood drives and other volunteering opportunities. Outside of school, I volunteered weekly at a local after-school program where I spent well over 120 hours volunteering with children, many of whom have immigrant parents. Not only would I like to make an impact, but my goal was to be a positive influence among young children in my community and encourage them to do the same in the future. I hope to continue spreading my passion for service in college and beyond.”
Major: English
Minor: Journalism Studies
School: Temple University
“Writing, reading, education, and community service are among my passions. I am currently writing for my school newspaper in an attempt to establish a portfolio of writing. I would also like to begin some internship this summer relating to journalism. When I graduate, I would like to be in the journalism realm as a fellow or reporter. In my career, I would like to use my writing and reading passions to further my service to my community through education. I believe writing and journalism are one way people’s voices can be heard, and we can make progress as a society, and that is what I want more than anything.”
Major: Psychology
School:Temple University
“This scholarship will allow me to earn my degree and help me become a psychologist. Mental disorders are terrifying diseases that people should not be forced to suffer through on their own. If it means being able to stop others from cutting their own lives short, I will gladly use my degree to help them through tough times and help them realize how valued and loved they truly are. I do understand that earning a degree in psychology will not be easy. Some things may be difficult for me to understand right away. Earning a degree in psychology means trying to predict human behavior and understanding its causes, a task that is challenging for most people. I am aware that the work may prove to be demanding, but I want to provide people with the help they might need. This scholarship allows me to get the education required for me to help provide care for others.”
Major: Neuroscience
School:Bucknell University
“Many people would agree that personal passions are important to their quality of life. Being able to use our talents or doing something we truly enjoy brings a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. For some, a personal passion involves self–expression, community involvement, success at work, enjoyment of the arts or literature, and many other such activities. My passions include education, science, and medicine, as well as travel. This passion motivates me doggedly to pursue an education that will allow me to reach my goals. The opportunity to visit places nationally and internationally is not only a passion but a dream. Travel is a unique experience that can open doors to a deeper understanding of an unfamiliar place. You never know a place intimately until visiting it and its people who live there. That is why my love of science and medicine will incorporate well with my passion for travel. My goal is to incorporate organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Peace Corps, or becoming a Red Cross volunteer member while practicing. As a volunteer, I will use my specialty to serve an at-need community in a way that most do not have an opportunity to do. The paradox of serving abroad is you tend to be the one who benefits the most. Also, attending or presenting at medical conferences locally or abroad will allow me to acquire knowledge and education to expand my medical knowledge.”
Major: Mechanical Engineering
School: Drexel University
“During my time at Drexel, I hope to pursue research in horticulture and urban agriculture. While my high school interests were robotics-oriented, I plan to explore more engineering areas during undergrad. During the summer of 2021, I will be working with Drexel’s STAR Scholars program conducting my own research. My variety of interests come together through my passion for STEAM education in Philadelphia and providing kids with resources to accomplish things they never thought they could. I am grateful for the opportunities I had in high school that led me to pursue engineering and hope to someday teach an engineering class of my own in our city.”
Major: Undeclared
School:St. Joseph’s University
“Everything I’ve ever done was for my mom. My main goal is to break the cycle of family members not going to college; I want to prove to my future and past generations that success is possible. When I received my first honors, it gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of being a forensic medical examiner. I made my mother so proud of me; she has been the only one that made me stronger and pushed me further to succeed. I’ve gotten into College Prep and Honor level classes in high school, which gave me even more confidence. I did great in my classes, got good grades, made so many friends, had a great time in all my school events, volunteered in community service, and joined in on some extracurricular activities. I was living up to be the person I’ve always wanted to be since I was a little girl. Now that I have decided to go to college and break the cycle, I wish to be the one who gets to make their dreams come true. I am ready for whatever I have to do to accomplish this goal to become a successful forensic medical examiner.”
Major: Economics and Chinese
School:Swarthmore College
“Throughout middle and high school, I am fortunate to find my passion in business and the Chinese language. I have been engaged with the business world ever since I started helping out in my family restaurant at the age of 10. In high school, I expanded my knowledge about the business field and made connections between my firsthand experience and academics through the IB Business Management course. Throughout the curriculum, I began to grasp more about the business world and took a closer look at its structures and components.
In addition, as a part of my experience, I have developed a skill to translate between Mandarin and English, thus finding my career goal as a translator in the business field. The first semester of college, I decided to enroll in a Chinese course to understand the language beyond my prior knowledge, making it my first official Chinese class. To proceed, I plan to enroll in courses like “Business in Chinese” to mature my translating skills in this field. I also intend to study abroad in China and take specialized classes of business in the two languages to advance further.
My ultimate goal is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Chinese in addition to a master’s degree in Economics. After graduate school, I hope to discover a community where I can expertise in this field and translate for those with language barriers in a foreign country, thus giving the best support I can with my abilities.”
Major: Biology
School:La Salle University
“I haven’t developed a passion for biology until high school, and not until my sophomore year; I decided I wanted to go into the healthcare field. I developed a love for the subject and the study of life. I have joined programs and volunteered at hospitals in which they have pushed me further into the career path. I grew up in a low-income household and in two different countries throughout my life. Seeing how many of the healthcare systems fail to treat patients equally is unacceptable to me. My goal is to develop my knowledge and skills in the healthcare field in order to use them to help both my communities. Currently, I am able to connect with other students and professionals of experiences to get to know more about the healthcare field and learn about some of the paths that they took to help me navigate and be open to many directions. My degree will help me achieve my career goal and ultimately be able to give back and share my knowledge.”
Major: Biology
School:Holy Family University
“I have always enjoyed helping others; I feel content and fulfilled knowing I can assist/be an aide to people. Whether it’s translating, ushering in church, or helping a customer, I’ve always felt pleased knowing I made at least a tiny difference in someone’s life. This year I will be taking part in the Albertans Science Club, a group part of the TriBeta honor society for Bio majors. As a Bio major, career-wise, I hope to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant, where I can help others medically in many different areas.”
Major: Engineering
School:Drexel University
“I never considered majoring in engineering until eleventh grade. I always thought I would major in some form of business. During eleventh grade, my friend dragged me with her to the engineering program held at the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after, I built a bridge with a classmate in Physics class. Both the bridge project and the engineering program have sparked my interest and curiosity in engineering. The Access Engineering program gives me a glimpse of what it would be like to be an engineering student, where I will attend hands-on workshops related to many types of engineering. I love the feeling of accomplishing when I successfully create or build something. From there, I considered having engineering as a major. During and after college, I will use the knowledge learned to help and improve my community. I want to continue to be involved in the organizations I am in and give back to the community.”