Brandywine student leader fosters connections, community, culture, opportunity

MEDIA, Pa. — For Tatiana Lewis, a third-year psychology student at Penn State Brandywine, leadership is rooted in connections, community, culture and opportunity.

Lewis serves as president of the Black Student Union (BSU) on campus and vice president of Habitat for Humanity. She is also a Lion Ambassador at Brandywine.

Originally from Jamaica, Lewis moved to the United States in 2017 and now lives in Delaware County. When choosing a college, she said, staying close to family played a key role in her decision.

“My mom aided in my decision to go to Brandywine. She wanted me to stay close by, and originally, I didn’t want to, but I don’t think I would’ve accomplished as much as I have if I had gone to school far away,” she said. “Being close to family was a huge deciding factor because I’m a very family-oriented person.”

Originally committing to Brandywine as a biology major, Lewis decided that switching her degree to psychology aligned more with her strengths and career goals. Upon graduating in 2027, she said she wants to continue her education in hopes of becoming a physician’s associate.

“During orientation, while talking to an adviser, she suggested I switch my major from biology to psychology, because I wasn’t the best at math," Lewis said. "I’m so happy I switched my major. Getting my bachelor of science in psychology will still pave the path for me to enter into the medical field."

As president of BSU, Lewis said she is focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. The club hosts events and conversations that celebrate Black culture while also providing a space for connection and dialogue.

“The goal of the organization is the education of people who want to know about Black culture. Some people might not know about the culture, so we invite them to come in and explore, as well as giving people of color and our Black students a space to feel like they belong. We talk about school, life in general or any shared experiences we might have,” she said.

Lewis became president of BSU in 2025. Since then, she has held numerous events for the club, including Roots to Routes, a networking event for alumni and students; a 2000s and 2010s themed party; a drum circle; and more. She noted that her favorite part about being president of BSU is providing a welcoming space for students.

“I really enjoy providing a space for students to just come in and feel like they belong. I love talking to them and getting to know them,” she said.

Lewis is also vice president of Habitat for Humanity, a new organization on campus that helps raise awareness for housing insecurity. Inspired to join by her goal of homeownership, she said the group provides valuable hands-on and educational experiences for students.

“We’re learning about homeownership, and we have the opportunity to go to Habitat for Humanity’s build sites to get hands-on experiences and volunteer work as well. Some students from the organization recently did Alternative Spring Break with Habitat for Humanity to get that experience,” she said.

Lewis credited her leadership roles on campus with opening doors to new experiences, including travel opportunities and networking.

“Ever since being in student leadership, a lot of opportunities have presented themselves. I was invited to speak with a congresswoman on campus during spring break, and I’ve gotten the chance to go on a trip to New York to see a Broadway show,” she said.

Among her proudest academic achievements is earning a place on the dean’s list twice, an accomplishment she said reflects dedication to her studies.

Looking back on her time at Brandywine, Lewis said one of the most valuable lessons she’s learned is the importance of balance.

“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned at Brandywine is to take time for yourself. Honestly, I’m still learning that today, but balancing school as well as your personal life is so vital,” she said.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in schoolwork, and the stress from grades can be overwhelming. It’s important to make time to take care of your mental health, whether that’s going for a walk, watching a movie, reading a book or something that’s completely aside from school," she added.

Lewis encouraged students to get involved early and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

“I feel like I wasn’t as involved as I should’ve been in my first year or two here, but honestly, networking is so vital,” she said. “I didn’t understand that until this year. You never know who you’re going to meet and who might get you a job or internship.”