Major: Human Development and Family Studies
Graduation Date: December 2025
As Christopher Manful prepares to graduate in December, he reflects on his time at Penn State Brandywine and the unique experiences he had.
“I chose to attend Penn State Brandywine because I was offered a scholarship and an opportunity to play on the men’s soccer team,” he said.
During his time at Brandywine, Manful was a forward on the men’s soccer team, scoring 65 goals with 17 assists for a total of 147 points earned. His time on the men’s soccer team gave him lifelong friendships and the opportunity to develop leadership skills.
“Brandywine gave me the chance to continue playing the sport I love and be part of a community that supported me academically and socially,” he said.
His time in soccer also gave him his fondest memories at Brandywine, stating that the number of goals he scored and the relationships he formed with his friends were the highlights of his college experience.
“One of my favorite memories is being in the school history books for the number of goals I’ve scored. And, honestly, the friends I made and the relationships I formed during my time here are some of my greatest memories,” he said.
During his time at Brandywine, Manful frequently visited the Writing Center to strengthen his research papers, which were an essential part of his major.
“The human development and family studies major involves a lot of research and writing, so the Writing Center was a huge help in improving my work,” he said.
Manful is currently completing an internship as a case manager at Clear Direction Recovery Centers, a substance abuse facility. In his role, he supports patients by helping them navigate documentation, employment assistance and resource gathering.
“Every day, I work with clients to help them access what they need, from treatment letters to driver’s licenses, and it has shown me how meaningful this work can be,” he said.
Manful was offered a full-time position at Clear Direction Recovery Centers and will start once he graduates from Penn State Brandywine. He plans to relocate to New Jersey, where the facility is based, for his role.
Manful said one of his greatest accomplishments during his time at Brandywine was being a first-generation college graduate.
“Being a first-generation college graduate is probably my greatest accomplishment,” he said. “I’m the first one in my family to finish college, so this accomplishment means a lot to me.”
When asked to give advice to future Penn State students, Manful emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.