Ana
Enka Lawson, d3photography.com

GoYeo Storytellers: Ana Richardson '18

Eugene, Oregon native and current Oberlin College Admissions Counselor Ana Richardson ‘18 never heard of Oberlin College when Associate Head Track & Field Coach and Recruiting Coordinator John Hepp called while she was on the way to the National Junior Olympics.

“I thought he said Overland and tried to look it up,” joked Richardson. When she found out what Oberlin actually was and that her grandparents were familiar with the school, she was intrigued.

Richardson’s first journey to Oberlin was through the multicultural visit program (MVP), which she credits  for giving her the opportunity to attend Oberlin. “I was looking at big Division I schools and being a first-generation college student, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for in a college.” 

When the former team captain made her visit, which happened to be with future track & field teammate Monique Newton, she was won over by the spirit of the campus. “I was impressed by the professors, the research I could participate in, and all the other opportunities I could experience at Oberlin” commented Richardson. “I applied early decision a week later.”

“It's a wonderful attribute we see in so many Oberlin student-athletes where they can be so singularly driven but still bring so many people with them along the way,” Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Ray Appenheimer said. “Be it talking about track & field, neuroscience, music, or family, Ana has a way of making you feel more included, smarter, and more connected to the people around you. She was a great athlete and the best teammate and captain we could ever have.

A two-time All-American, and four-time NCAA national qualifier, Richardson is a 12-time All-NCAC selection and six-time conference champion. The school and conference record holder in the weight throw with a mark of 60-05.00, Richardson graduated with degrees in psychology and neuroscience.

“Ana was unquestionably one of the greatest leaders in the 120-plus year history of Oberlin College Track & Field,” Coach Hepp said. “While she'll go down as one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the school, the lasting impact that she made on her teammates, coaches and this entire program will be the thing that defines Ana's time at Oberlin College. The thing that really set Ana apart was her innate ability to bring the best out of, and lead, those around her, in a way that elevated everyone on those teams on a daily basis. There is no doubt that much of the success of our team over the past five years can be directly attributed to Ana's leadership, and the example and expectations she set for this program during her four years at Oberlin.”

Following graduation, and after an opportunity with Teach for America fell through, Richardson found herself in Houston, Texas, working in a psychiatrist's office but was intrigued to learn about the opportunity to return to Oberlin as an admissions counselor. 

“I have a passion for education as a first-generation, low-income student because I understand some students don’t have the exposure or believe they can achieve certain things,” Richardson noted. 

In the admissions office, Richardson gets to read applications and share all the things about Oberlin College that she loves with potential students. “During my own college process, I didn’t know the different things I could do or what folks were looking at but now I can explain to applicants, what we're actually looking for or this is what this means.” 

In higher education where the language can be coded or not as accessible, she strives to support people who are in the same shoes she was just a few years ago. “I remember when I submitted my application I felt like I submitted it into a black void and then it just magically comes back accepted or not” joked Richardson. “Realizing there is actually someone who read my application, thought I was worth fighting for, and wanted to support me through the process is something I didn’t understand.” 

Her Oberlin journey has come full circle as she is now a part of the multicultural recruitment team and also coordinates the MVP program - the same program that brought her to campus. Her goals are to continue to recruit even more minority students to follow in her footsteps to Oberlin College, especially during the current climate within our country. 

“Personally, I’m obviously a big advocate and it’s something that brought me to Oberlin in the first place” said Richardson as it relates to social justice. “The Teach In the students did with professors was really impactful and there’s a lot of different things we could do as a campus to start those conversations.”

In the future she plans on pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology as she believes education is a vehicle for change with mental health being even more important during these times.

“In a difficult time for black people, having therapy and people of color in those positions to listen is important. I love science and it always comes back to that with me, which is why I am very grateful I chose to attend Oberlin.”

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