Next Stop: University of Pennsylvania

7/17/2026

Rasan is someone who shows up for his teammates, for younger students, and for his community. Now a senior at Riverdale Country School, he describes himself as “around everywhere,” an intentional presence shaped by a desire to build supportive spaces and make sure people feel seen wherever he goes.

FINDING PURPOSE THROUGH SCIENCE

Rasan’s love for science and math began early and was solidified at Riverdale, where he participated as a summer research intern at Lisman Laboratories, studying the connections between genes, neurons, and neurological systems.

At Penn, Rasan plans to continue that work in a biochemistry lab, exploring the intersection of biochemistry and neuroscience. His motivation is to help people: “I want to do research where there’s added value,” he says, “like helping in the production of new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s and depression.”

LEADING THROUGH SERVICE

Rasan’s desire for real-world impact extends beyond the lab. At Riverdale, he has led with intention and sought out opportunities to serve others, both on campus and beyond. He helped organize and lead domestic service-learning trips to Alabama and Georgia, supporting faculty and guiding younger students.

He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building homes in New York City and Alabama and helped women-led businesses in underdeveloped countries secure loans through a school-based organization called Zawadi by Youth.

“These experiences give you a broader perspective on what’s going on in the world,” Rasan explains. “You realize how privileged we are and how the work we do, even as students, can make a difference.”

A FOUNDATION BUILT ON COMMUNITY

This sense of purpose and commitment to community was first cultivated when he joined Harlem Academy in second grade. As an educator, his mother, Tyiesha Hoskins, quickly recognized that her son was not being challenged at his previous school. She was drawn to Harlem Academy for its high expectations and location in the heart of Harlem. With a diverse student body and faculty, she immediately saw it as a place where Rasan could grow academically and personally.

At Harlem Academy, community was built into daily life. “It wasn’t just a school where everyone happened to be in the same building,” Rasan recalls. “It was a place where people really knew each other.” Ms. Hoskins recognized the impact of that environment. “I don’t think he ever questioned whether he belonged,” she says. “That confidence stayed with him, and now he knows to seek it wherever he goes.”

LIVING THE CREED

As he prepares for his next stop at Penn, Rasan carries the lessons that first shaped him at Harlem Academy. Chief among them is the School Creed, which he views as a guidepost for life. “Integrity, initiative, compassion, determination—those are things you carry with you everywhere,” Rasan says. “Compassion doesn’t end when you leave Harlem Academy. It’s something you need in every space you’re in.”

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