Chaiken Scholar leverages personal experiences to help empower fellow students

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Shaquana Simpson, a Chaiken Scholar and fourth-year student double-majoring in psychology and criminology, said she found the transition from high school to Penn State to be anything but easy. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the first-generation student chose Penn State in search of opportunities and an environment that encouraged growth. But when she arrived on campus, she said, she faced a host of challenges.

“As a first-generation student, you don’t always know where to go or who to ask,” she said. “It can feel like you’re figuring everything out alone.”

Simpson said that constant feeling of uncertainty made her transition stressful, but everything changed once she joined the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success and used her Chaiken Scholar benefits to their full potential.

With unconditional support and guidance from her peer mentor and other center staff, Simpson said, she began to understand how to approach her academic responsibilities and campus resources, and tap into her own potential. As a Chaiken Scholar, Simpson said the experience gave her more than just financial support — it gave her a sense of belonging and direction.

“A Chaiken Scholar isn’t just focused on success for themselves, but committed to uplifting others along the way,” she said.

Simpson chose to double-major in psychology and criminology because of past experiences. Growing up, she said, she witnessed instability and the impact of systemic injustice on friends and family, and these experiences sparked a desire to better understand human behavior and to advocate for those who feel overlooked.

Now, she said, she hopes to use her education to make a lasting impact. Her long-term goal is to become a juvenile defense attorney, supporting young people who may not have the resources or guidance to advocate for themselves.

“I want to be someone who helps people feel seen and understood, and it is okay to stand out!” she said.

After finding her place within the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, Simpson said she knew she wanted to give that same support to others.

Today, she serves as a peer success coach, resident assistant and communications chair for the First-Gen Committee. These roles, she said, allow her to connect with students and help them navigate challenges.

Simpson said her motivation is defined by one simple thing: knowing that even the smallest act of support can make a difference.

“A peer success coach is like the friend you didn’t know you needed. You’re there to guide someone before they feel lost,” she said. “There’s always going to be someone new to this experience. If I can make someone’s day a little brighter or help them feel less alone, that’s everything.”

In addition to her other involvements, Simpson helped to reinstate the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center’s "Mindfulness Mondays," a student-led initiative designed to help students connect with their bodies and minds and prioritize mental health. This passion stemmed from her own experience navigating the fast-paced, high-pressure demands of college, she said.

“As a student, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming college can be,” Simpson said. “I wanted to create a space for students to slow down, reflect and take care of their mental well-being in a meaningful and consistent way."

The initiative not only supports individual well-being, she said, but also is contributing to an atmosphere on campus where mental health is prioritized and openly supported.

“Let's make mindfulness part of the culture,” she said.

After graduation, Simpson said she plans to take a gap year to prepare for law school while working as a legal assistant or paralegal. From there, she hopes to pursue a career in law, with the aspiration of opening her own practice and advocating for those who need it most.

Simpson said her journey at Penn State has been nothing short of life-changing; through mentorship, mindfulness and advocacy, she’s not only shaping her future, but helping others believe in theirs.

“It's all about showing up for yourself,” she said.