Eva Reis C’25 transferred to Penn as a junior after starting her collegiate journey at the University of Oklahoma. While she had always planned to transfer, the encouraging environment of her previous school empowered her to transition with confidence and ease. “I had a wonderful experience at the University of Oklahoma and an amazing network of friends to support me throughout the application and transfer process. I am so grateful for my time there.”
As she prepared to travel halfway across the country to continue her education, Eva was buoyed by the warmth and welcome of her new Quaker community. “Penn has a large and supportive transfer student organization. We have a transfer student living floor and a transfer student orientation, and the group plans events and provides valuable resources throughout your entire first year on campus.” From this solid foundation, Eva stepped into her new chapter at the University with determination and clarity, prepared to make the most of every opportunity.
Eva’s belief in the importance of education—and especially equitable access to education—stems in part from her mother’s experience growing up in rural Portugal. After being removed from classes after completing sixth grade and being placed in sewing lessons instead, Eva’s mother wanted nothing more than to return to school. After eventually resuming her studies a year later, she became one of only two people from an initial pool of over 40 first graders to graduate from high school and the first from her village to attend medical school. Her interest in research then led her to pursue her Ph.D. in the United States. This perseverance has fueled Eva’s own passion for learning: “My mom is my role model and my rock. Knowing everything that she had to overcome to have the opportunity to continue in school has made education very important to me.”
Through her extensive extracurricular involvement at Penn, Eva has served as a strong advocate for gender equity. During her junior year, she worked with Penn Reproductive Justice to implement a series of beneficial projects on campus, including a completely free and confidential contraceptive distribution system. She was also elected as the internal chair for the Penn Association of Gender Equity, in which capacity she supported numerous community coalition initiatives, including coordinating programs and speakers for Gender Equity Week. Eva has also collaborated with her peers from the Annenberg School of Communication to create and chair the Communication Major Association, creating an undergraduate space for community building and connection with Annenberg.
Eva will continue to make her mark in the world beyond Penn, with plans to obtain her J.D. degree. “I’m passionate about decreasing sexual violence in our communities, and that’s what I feel called to pursue after graduation. I hope to become a researcher and study how the law has enabled sexual violence, and—most importantly—how the law can be used to end it.”
Wherever her path leads her, Eva’s experience at the University has prepared her for success. “Penn offers such a unique, supportive environment that encourages all of us to be our most authentic selves. I feel empowered to achieve my dreams and I know I will utilize the skills I’ve learned here for the rest of my life.”
Favorite Penn Memory
