My Road to Commencement: Juan Serrano

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Juan Serrano, of El Cerrito, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, will receive a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology as part of the Penn State Harrisburg Class of 2026. Here, he shares his journey through higher education:

“Penn State Harrisburg was the first big choice of my life, marking the second furthest and longest I had ever been away from my family — after the time I moved from Colombia to the United States! It served as the key step in committing to my goals, forcing me to navigate a new city and campus while realizing that I had to be my own primary aide.

“I entered college without a declared major, driven only by the vision of making a difference. I soon realized that to create a positive impact, I had to be willing to do the hard work others avoid. Through roles as a tutor, resident assistant, and THON dancer, I found purpose in every interaction. This was especially true during my internship at the campus Center for Fitness and Wellness, where I provided guidance and motivation for students on their fitness and wellness journeys. I helped them understand that reaching a goal requires time and commitment, which deepened my belief that dedication beats talent every time. I encouraged students to black out the noise and remember it is always ‘you against you’ — a mindset that has kept me motivated throughout my own college career.

“Being a student at Penn State Harrisburg has taught me that there is always room for improvement; just when I thought I had pushed myself far enough, I discovered another layer of potential to dive into.

“A pivotal example of this growth was participating in the Perrault Fellowship program through Penn State Global. This program provided the opportunity to study abroad for two months in Barcelona, Spain, as a physical therapy [PT] intern focusing on pediatric care for the autistic population. This was a true wake-up call. In Spain, I was thousands of miles away from my support system with a significant time zone difference. I had to learn how to navigate these moments independently and find my own solutions, allowing me to reflect deeply before eventually sharing those experiences with my support system and truly valuing their feedback.

“Working with the children taught me that sometimes the best tool we have is not a fancy piece of equipment, but rather our own creativity in problem solving. Being able to carry this lesson with me has helped me navigate many of the challenges I face in life.

“I am determined to join the 20% of Latinos in the U.S. who hold a bachelor of science degree and one day be part of the 4% of Latino physical therapists who provide culturally competent care. Representation matters; patients should be welcomed with an understanding of their culture and language, rather than having to explain them just to receive help. This is why attending PT school is not only my personal goal, but a shared dream for my family and friends. A community does not change overnight; it takes every member working together to make a difference, and I am ready to be that difference in the field of physical therapy.

“Penn State Harrisburg has become a fundamental part of my identity. It showed me that change is necessary and that being the new person is an opportunity rather than a setback. Being on this campus allowed me to build meaningful relationships that taught me the importance of kindness, empathy, and never taking life for granted. I now understand that a community that invests in your success ultimately succeeds.”