Road to Commencement: Anna Ramirez

Major: Biology

Minor: Civic and community engagement

Graduation Date: May 10, 2025

MEDIA, Pa. — As Anna Ramirez prepares to graduate on May 10, she reflects on her time at Penn State Brandywine and the unique experiences she had.

“I chose Penn State Brandywine for a bunch of reasons, but honestly it just felt right from the start. It’s close to home, so I could stay connected to my family, and it gave me the chance to keep playing volleyball,” she said.

“I also come from a Penn State family. Pretty much everyone in my family went to Penn State. It made the decision feel even more special, like I was continuing something meaningful.”

During her time at Brandywine, Ramirez was involved with the volleyball team. She became a team captain during her second, third and fourth years, which she said helped push her out of her comfort zone. 

“Being on the volleyball team was one of the best parts of my college experience. It gave me a built-in support system from day one that really shaped me to be who I am today. When I became team captain, it pushed me out of my comfort zone, and suddenly I wasn’t just showing up for myself but for everyone else, too,” she said.

“I had to learn how to lead in a way that felt real, like listening when people were frustrated, keeping the energy up when we were down, and knowing when to push and when to back off. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me a lot about communication, leadership, empathy and staying steady under pressure.”

In addition to her involvement on the volleyball team, Ramirez participated in research with Steven Shuey, retired associate teaching professor of chemistry, where she studied hydrogels and protecting groups.

She also was a teaching assistant (TA) for Teaching Professor of Chemistry Kurt Kistler’s Chemical Principles I (CHEM 110) course. Ramirez noted how Brandywine gave her a lot of opportunities that helped her succeed.

“Brandywine gave me a lot of opportunities that really helped me grow, both in and out of the classroom. One of the biggest ways was getting involved in chemistry research. It was definitely challenging, but it pushed me to think more critically and work through problems in a hands-on way,” she said.

“I also worked as a TA for chemistry, which I really enjoyed,” she said. “Helping other students understand the material not only reinforced what I was learning but also helped me become more patient and a better communicator. It felt good to be someone they could rely on.”

Ramirez said one of her greatest accomplishments during her time at Brandywine was being able to balance her involvement with her coursework.

“From being a biology major and doing chemistry research to working as a TA and playing on the volleyball team, each of those things challenged me in different ways, and I’m proud of how I was able to grow through them,” she said.

“Being a student-athlete while managing a tough academic load wasn’t easy but it taught me so much about discipline, leadership and staying focused. I was lucky enough to be recognized for my efforts on and off the court, which made it all feel even more worth it.”

Upon graduating from Penn State, Ramirez will be heading to Thomas Jefferson University, where she will pursue her doctorate in pharmacy. As she’s always liked science and medicine, she felt that going into pharmacy would allow her to be in that field while also helping people in a meaningful way.

When reflecting on her favorite memory from her time at Brandywine, Ramirez recalled her time on the volleyball team and how everything about her experience made her college experience enjoyable.

“It’s hard to pick just one moment because it was really all the little things, like team bonding, bus rides and pregame warmups that made it all special. We spent so much time together, and those moments helped us grow really close as a team,” she said.

When advising future Penn State students, Ramirez emphasized the importance of finding an activity outside of the classroom to keep students connected to the campus.

“Find something outside of class that makes you feel connected, whether it’s a sport, club or just showing up to events. For me, playing volleyball made a huge difference. It kept me busy, gave me a built-in support system, and it honestly saved my sanity more than once,” she said.

“It doesn’t have to be a sport; just find your people and your space. That helps you more than you think. Also, don’t try to do everything on your own. Speaking from experience, ask for help when you need it.”