Curiosity and Community
Liena Khalifa ’24’s journey to Providence College began with curiosity. Growing up, she was narrowly focused on becoming a physician. This singular goal dictated her choices, leading her to declare a biology major at almost every college she applied to. Inspired by curiosity and her love of mathematics, however, she declared a mathematics major and an evolutionary biology and ecology minor at PC. Reflecting on her journey, Liena wouldn’t change a thing. Her experience at Providence College was transformative, challenging her in ways she hadn’t anticipated but thoroughly enriching her personal and academic life.
Adjusting to college life was difficult for Liena, especially since she started during the pandemic. Classes and student interactions were confined to screens, and the shift from high school to the demands of college was stressful. However, she found solace in the academic community at Providence College. Programs like the Development of Western Civilization (DWC) helped her break through the initial awkwardness and explore a broad spectrum of ideas and cultures. Engaging seminars with Father Isaac Morales, O.P., whose wit and humor eased the tension of freshman year, and invaluable guidance from Cayla McBee, Ph.D. and Father Humbert Kilanowski, O.P. in navigating her math major provided Liena with constant support. Diving deep into subjects like linear algebra, real analysis, and set theory with C. Joanna Su, Ph.D. and Leah (Mary) Karker, Ph.D. further ignited her passion for mathematics.
Forming meaningful relationships with faculty and friends, she found herself becoming a well-rounded individual who thinks deeply, listens intently, and communicates effectively. “An education from Providence College challenges you to seek more, and because of that, I am inspired to research a variety of topics to understand the world we live in,” Liena often reflects. For Liena, the strong sense of community defined her experience at PC. Some of her favorite memories like Reunion Weekend and the PC vs. Georgetown basketball game were profoundly enriched by the presence of donors like Paul ’67 and Carol Courcy, whose support through their scholarship fund was instrumental in her academic journey. Meeting Paul and Carol was a revelation for Liena, as their generosity allowed her to pursue her dual interests without financial burden.
I appreciated meeting Paul and Carol, and their passion for helping students in STEM was incredibly inspiring.
Post-graduation, Liena’s career path leads her toward medicine, with aspirations in surgery. Grateful for the support of generous scholarships like the Paul ’67 and Carol Courcy Scholarship Fund, Liena hopes that future Friars will embrace the same opportunities she had, be inspired to learn more, and contribute to the community that has given them so much.
