Meet Raven Witherspoon

Offered to outstanding high school students, the Reynolds Advance College Academies (ACA) program gives students the opportunity to earn an associate degree while simultaneously completing the requirements for their high school diploma.

Alum, Raven Witherspoon is a shining example of the success of this program.

Raven’s academic journey began at Reynolds’s Advance College Academy at J.R. Tucker High School. Graduating in 2017, Raven earned her associate degree in Social Sciences while still in high school, laying a strong foundation for her future academic and professional endeavors. Today, she is a Senior Research Specialist at Princeton University, where she conducts critical research on the radiological risks and impacts of nuclear accidents on public health and safety in the United States.

Raven’s path through higher education is a testament to her intellectual curiosity and commitment to addressing complex global challenges. After completing her studies at Reynolds, she enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics, graduating summa cum laude from the VCU Honors College in 2021. The credits she earned at Reynolds enabled her to double minor while meeting all the Honors College requirements, allowing her to explore a wide range of interests that continue to influence her work today.

Raven’s academic journey didn’t stop there. At VCU she was awarded the prestigious Schwarzman Scholars fellowship, traveling to Beijing to earn her Master’s degree at Tsinghua University. There she focused on global affairs at the intersection of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Her graduate thesis explored how Cold War-era confidence-building measures could be adapted to address the current U.S.-China nuclear relationship, a topic of growing importance in today’s geopolitical landscape.

Today at Princeton University, Raven’s research focuses on the radiological risks associated with nuclear accidents, an area of study with significant implications for public health and safety. She is also involved in reconstructing past nuclear accidents to gain a deeper understanding of environmental contamination episodes at former U.S. nuclear facilities. Her work is crucial in examining the effectiveness of environmental and safety standards, contributing to policies that aim to prevent future accidents.

Reflecting on her time at Reynolds, Raven speaks highly of the ACA program that allowed her to accelerate her education. She chose Reynolds because of the opportunity it provided to earn college credits while still in high school, significantly reducing the cost of her undergraduate education.

Raven appreciated the flexibility and support she received at Reynolds, both from the faculty and the facilities. She primarily took her classes through her high school but fondly recalls the courses she took directly through Reynolds during the summer. The library and testing center at Reynolds were valuable resources for her, providing the tools she needed to succeed in her studies.

Raven credits Reynolds with laying the foundation for her scholarly achievements. The college introduced her to college-level analysis and a rigorous academic workload, which helped prepare her for the challenges of higher-level classes. Reynolds also strengthened her writing abilities, a skill that has been crucial in her academic and professional pursuits. Additionally, the college allowed her to explore interests like philosophy, which continue to influence her approach to life and work.

Throughout her time at Reynolds, Raven found strong support from faculty members like Sheralyne Tierseron. She recalls how Tierseron and others were extremely encouraging, providing feedback on her college application essays, encouraging her to take on leadership roles, and staying in touch with her even after she graduated. Raven deeply appreciates the steadfastness of their belief in her and is grateful for their continued support as she advances in her academic and professional career.

Raven’s journey from Reynolds to her current role at Princeton is a remarkable example of how a strong educational foundation can lead to significant achievements in the academic and professional worlds. As for her future, Raven is in the process of applying to PhD programs, and there's every confidence that she will find herself in a position to achieve great things wherever she lands.

Her work in nuclear safety and international relations underscores the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the impact that community college education can have on shaping future leaders and scholars.

___________________________________

For more information on Reynolds Advance College Academies, visit our website.