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Flash Friday: Penelope Cervantes

Senior biology major embraces science and culture through involvements on campus

Welcome to Flash Friday! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.

Penelope Cervantes poses in student center with Mexican flag

Meet Penelope Cervantes, a senior biology major with a Spanish minor from Toledo, Ohio. With a passion for science, Cervantes said her decision to study biology was easy.

鈥淚 knew I always wanted to do something in the field,鈥 Cervantes said. 鈥淚t is a very broad major, so you can do just about anything with your career.鈥

Cervantes wanted to further connect with her family living in M茅xico, motivating her to pursue a minor in Spanish.

鈥淚t's important for me to be more fluent in Spanish to remove any language barriers,鈥 Cervantes said. 鈥淎lso, it's great to know two or more languages.鈥

Cervantes is involved in many outlets on campus, giving her a broad taste of campus life and allowing her to foster meaningful connections with her peers. She is a mentor for the Exploratory Learning Community and for the Kupita/Transiciones in the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center.

鈥淚 am also a McNair Scholar, a member of Flash Fellows, a member of the Spanish and Latine Student Association, and I was a member of Sister Circle,鈥 Cervantes said.  

Being part of the McNair Scholars Program has been a highlight in Cervantes鈥 college career. The McNair Scholars Program aims to prepare first-generation, undergraduate students for doctoral study. Scholars are engaged in in-depth research, mentored by faculty and exposed to varied academic and cultural experiences.  

Penelope Cervantes as a Flash Fellow
Penelope Cervantes as a Flash Fellow

鈥淚 had the experience of going through this program with some of my best friends who I met here in Kent,鈥 Cervantes said. "We traveled to Los Angeles together for a research conference and stayed at the dorms in UCLA.鈥

Cervantes balances her many involvements on campus by prioritizing her mental and physical health so she can show up as her best self every day.  

鈥淚 am very passionate about taking care of my mental and physical health, so I like to frequently go on walks, do yoga and lift weights,鈥 Cervantes said.  

Are you a student interested in being featured in Flash Friday, or know a student who would make a great candidate? Send suggestions with name and contact information to kentstatetoday@kent.edu.

POSTED: Thursday, April 18, 2024 08:56 AM
Updated: Monday, April 22, 2024 11:10 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Tanner Poe, Flash Communications
PHOTO CREDIT:
Courtesy of Penelope Cervantes