From the president
A sophomore from Singapore, Andrea Cheah ‘27 is pursuing a double major in Sociology & Anthropology and Psychology. Like many of our students, she is intellectually engaged and civically motivated; what sets her apart is her sustained commitment to environmental justice, her deep sense of ethical responsibility, and a rare combination of leadership, empathy, and entrepreneurship.
An engaged student, Andrea has distinguished herself as an advocate for international students, actively working to amplify their voices and address institutional and cultural barriers on campus. Off campus, Andrea has likewise worked with communities in the surrounding area bridging academics with action. In Singapore, she co-founded IB Kampong, a nonprofit tutoring service that donated 100% of its earnings to Club Rainbow Singapore, which supports children with chronic illnesses. Her leadership is marked by thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and follow-through.
Andrea is a highly-motivated, collaborative, and capable student whose civic commitments align powerfully with the goals of the Newman Civic Fellowship. She leads with humility, learns with intention, and consistently prioritizes the well-being of others. Her ability to mobilize peers, engage institutions, and sustain long-term projects reflects both her maturity and her potential to contribute meaningfully to public life.
Personal Statement
At Swarthmore, I have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful professors, peers, and mentors who embody what it means to care. Being surrounded by a community rooted in social justice asks us to constantly reevaluate what social change could or should look like, and to reciprocate all we receive to those we care strongly about. Through experiences like facilitating panel discussions, writing advocacy letters, and fundraising for organizations abroad, I continue learning to navigate the ambiguity between performative versus community-centered action, and the challenges of agency and empowerment in pursuit of change-making. My involvement with Swarthmore’s international community has deepened a sense of global responsibility, and supported my growth in mindful leadership through opportunities to coordinate on-campus intercultural events.
Working towards social change urges us to balance one’s boundaries with the discomfort of failure, risk, and uncertainty. I hope to take this on in relation to the wellbeing of migrant communities, and am passionate about doing so through youth engagement and education. This summer, I am excited to be working at a Singapore-based charity that delivers physical and mental health services to the local migrant community.