Hi, I'm Leah! I’m a junior from Philadelphia studying Biological Sciences with a minor in Political Science on the pre-law track. On campus, I’m deeply passionate about my leadership roles as President of the Black Student Union and the Pre-Law Society, where I love building community and supporting fellow students. I’m super outgoing, love meeting new people, and can’t wait to share my college experience with you!

Hometown

Philadelphia, PA

Major(s)

Biological Sciences

Minor(s)

Political Science

Clubs, organizations & involvement

President of the Black Student Union, NCNW Inductee, Pre-Law Society, NBLSA

Describe your college experience

Transitioning to college was definitely a major adjustment at first. Moving out of state and not knowing anyone on campus felt overwhelming in the beginning, as I had to build a brand-new support system and adapt to a completely new environment. Over time, things shifted significantly. I met an incredible group of friends, gained a much stronger sense of self-reliance, and figured out how I learn and study best. Navigating demanding coursework taught me how to manage my time effectively and uncover the academic strategies that actually work for me. Now, I'm comfortable and actively involved in campus extracurriculars. I am taking concrete steps toward my future career path. Looking back, that challenging initial transition ended up being the exact foundation I needed to grow both personally and professionally.

Tip for future students

My biggest tip for future students is to spend your early weeks experimenting with where and how you study best, and don't hesitate to reach out the moment a concept gets confusing. Never wait until you're in trouble to go to office hours or ask a professor, TA, or classmate for help. Building strong study habits, staying organized, and developing discipline don't happen overnight, so give yourself grace and take the time to learn what uniquely works for you. Continuously reviewing material as you go and leaning on academic resources early makes managing a tough workload much easier and sets you up for long-term success.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Feeling Race, where we learned how to conceptualize emotions and race and identify the plethora of emotions that are felt in regards to race.

Career goals

After college, I plan to work as a paralegal for a year to gain hands-on, practical experience in the legal field before heading to law school. Following law school, my goal is to practice as an intellectual property and patent attorney at a major law firm, where I can work on complex, high-impact cases. Long term, I hope to leverage that firm experience and technical expertise to eventually establish and grow my own practice.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night is keeping it relaxed and spending quality time with my favorite people. I love unwinding with friends to watch a movie,grab some froyo, or stay in and bake cookies.

High school or secondary school

The Agnes Irwin School

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite place on campus is definitely Livi Circle! It’s such a lively, central hub for everything going on. When the weather is warm, it’s easily the best spot to sit outside to study, catch up with people, or just relax and people-watch between classes. So many fun events and gatherings happen right around that area, which makes it feel like the heartbeat of campus. Whether I'm looking to study outdoors, hang out with friends, or just soak in the campus energy, Livi Circle is always my go-to spot.