Brandywine Student Spotlight: Noa Castiel

Year: Fourth

Major: Corporate Communications

Involvement: Common hour chair of the Brandywine Events and Activities Student Team (BEAST), orientation leader, member of the Marketing and Communications Club, and member of Brandywine X THON.

Brandywine: Why did you choose to attend Penn State Brandywine?

Castiel: Before attending Brandywine, I was a student at Penn State Berks. When the pandemic hit, I decided to attend community college for a year. I always knew I wanted to go back to Penn State, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to Berks or try something new. I looked into the campuses that had my major, and Brandywine was one of them. I also just really loved the campus.

Brandywine: How did you choose your major?

Castiel: When I was a first-year student with an undeclared major, my adviser asked where my interests lie, and from there guided me to what I should major in. I told her I liked business, but I was also interested in communications. She introduced me to corporate communications, which is essentially a combination of the two. I looked into it and really like it.

Brandywine: What challenges have you faced at Brandywine?

Castiel: A lot of my challenges were from adapting to a new school. I just started at Brandywine this past spring, so I had to find new friends and everything. Adapting to the new environment was definitely my hardest challenge.

Brandywine: Who has supported you at Brandywine, and how?

Castiel: In one semester here at Brandywine, I feel like I’ve done so much. I became a chair for a club and got really involved. I wasn’t able to do that without the help of Tina Brackett-Wood (student activities and recreation coordinator). Dana Hallahan (class of 2023 and former BEAST co-president) introduced me to Tina, and from there she really helped me get involved. My professors have also been amazing and really helped me feel comfortable in a new school. Everyone here has made me feel so welcome. 

Brandywine: What interested you to become an orientation leader? What do you enjoy most about it?

Castiel: I’ve always wanted to be an orientation leader, even when I was up at Berks, but the pandemic took that opportunity away from me. Since I wanted to get more involved, and the chance was available, I decided to become an orientation leader. I’m really happy I did because I met so many great people and made so many connections. I’m glad that I get to be one of the first faces that first-year students see when they come to Brandywine. I want to make them feel excited about coming here.

Brandywine: With your involvement at Brandywine, how has your time on campus been impacted?

Castiel: I definitely feel a lot more involved. I feel that I’m making an impact here at Brandywine and also seeing so much growth in myself. I feel more confident and I’m making a difference. I’m taking on all these new leadership roles, and I’m glad I did. I’m so happy I took the opportunity to get involved because otherwise, I would be lost, especially being new.

Brandywine: What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at Brandywine?

Castiel: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to put myself out there more because, in the past, I didn’t really do that. This year, I did that, and I feel like I’ve been able to accomplish so much in a short amount of time. I’m really proud of myself, and I’m going to keep putting myself out there in the future.