Major: Information Sciences and Technology
Minor: Security and Risk Analysis
Certificate: Cybersecurity
Graduation Date: May 6, 2023
MEDIA, Pa – As Khafren Smith prepares to graduate on May 6, he reflects on his time at Brandywine and how his experiences in college ultimately led him to getting a full-time position.
“I chose Brandywine because I really thought its location and size would benefit my learning needs as opposed to a university with a larger campus,” Smith explained. “I really have thrived in the classroom, and what helped was being able to have one-on-one relationships with my instructors because of how small this campus is.”
Smith was very involved during his time at Brandywine, as he played on the men’s soccer team, was involved in the Council for Latino and African American Student Success (CLAASS) and was a resident assistant.
“Being involved on campus really allowed me to make so many connections that I wouldn’t have made otherwise,” Smith said. “I made connections with students, faculty and staff members I wouldn’t have met otherwise through CLAASS, and I made a lot of my friends and connections through athletics.”
“Being involved on campus really allowed me to make so many connections that I wouldn’t have made otherwise.”—Khafren Smith , fourth-year information sciences and technology student, Penn State Brandywine
During his second year, Smith suffered from a knee injury that could’ve ended his intercollegiate soccer career.
“I remember, the second game of the season during my second year of college, I tore my ACL. It was within the first 10 minutes of the game. By the end of the game, my knee was swollen, and doctors and trainers were assessing it,” he recalled.
Smith is grateful that he lived in the campus residence hall during his second year and didn’t commute. Because of his injury, he wasn’t able to drive or get anywhere on his own.
“I was really grateful for the residence hall here. If I was commuting, I would’ve had to take a semester off to heal. It would’ve been really detrimental to my academics,” he said.
After going through surgery and receiving care through physical therapy, Smith was able to return to soccer for his third year. In the 2021 season, the men’s soccer team won a national championship title. He said this win was his favorite memory during his time at Brandywine.
“Winning the national championship last year was really special for me because it was a year after my bad knee injury,” he said. “My coach was able to guide me and all the players to victory. My friends at that time on the team were really helpful in keeping my spirits up. The trainers really helped me rehabilitate my knee. I went from not being able to walk to playing in the championship game. It was so fulfilling to me.”
Upon graduating, Smith will start a full-time position at MShop360, an IT and marketing solutions agency based in Philadelphia. He was able to secure a position with the help of the athletics department.
“I originally got an internship there this semester with the help of Bobbi Caprice, the director of athletics,” he said. “She is connected to some individuals who work there, and I was able to get an interview set up. I came to an agreement with the company that has allowed me to stay on the team full-time. It’s been great.”
When advising future Brandywine students, Smith says to get involved as much as you can on campus.
“Because Brandywine is very close-knit, you can definitely get involved and make a lot of great connections,” he said. “As years went on, I got more involved in different clubs, athletics and campus life. It helped make my experience more well-rounded. When you have those experiences under your belt from getting involved, it sets you up to succeed in the real world.”
Smith also believes it’s important for college students to utilize their resources.
“Everyone on campus, in terms of faculty and staff, are very helpful and open to assist you,” he said. “I know when I first started college, I was reluctant to use the STEM lab and get tutoring because I didn’t do that in high school. After adapting more of a growth mindset, I realized that these systems were there to help me. It’s even important to use resources wherever you go in life. Whether it’s a job or in school, it’s okay to ask for help. There are resources there to help you when you’re in need.”
"Whether it’s a job or in school, it’s okay to ask for help. There are resources there to help you when you’re in need."—Khafren Smith , fourth-year information sciences and technology student, Penn State Brandywine
