Ryan Schaefer

Ryan Schaeffer

River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) Peer Leader

College
Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences

Biosketch

  • Name: Ryan Schaefer
  • College: Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
  • Major: Exercise Science
  • Hometown: Revere, Massachusetts
  • Favorite hobbies: Trying new breakfast places with my mom and grandma, going to the movies, playing video games with friends.
  • What is your favorite thing about UMass Lowell (UML)? The people within RHSA and the Anatomy faculty department.
  • What are your future goals? Become a licensed Physical Therapist and start my own business.
  • What has having been involved with the RHSA meant to you? Being involved with RHSA is a representation of the sacrifices my family has made to allow me to pursue a college education and my desired career.
  • Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college? Finding balance between school, family, and a social life is very challenging but not impossible. Weighing priorities and mastering time management goes a long way.
  • What advice would you give fellow students? Invest in a personal calendar to give structure to your schedule and life.
  • Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell? UMass Lowell felt like home from my first unofficial visit. I also looked forward to pursuing a career within the health field.
  • What does it mean to you to be a first-generation College student? Being a first-generation student is meaningful to me because I am entering uncharted territory for my family. I take pride in representing the people who sacrificed and supported me to give me the opportunity to be where I am.
  • What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA? RHSA, and the many people within it, provided me with such a warm welcome to the college experience. They helped me manage my stress and responsibilities. I aspire to provide the same warm welcome to incoming RHSA students because it was so beneficial to me.