Beyond the Jersey: Running with a Purpose

Boluwatife Akinrinade is a nursing major and criminal justice minor at Penn State Schuylkill, where she maintains a GPA above 3.5 while juggling an intense schedule. A dual-sport athlete in cross country and track and field, she also holds four part-time jobs as a home care aide, grocery store employee, campus café worker, and restaurant staff member. Despite the heavy workload, she has earned a place on the Dean's List and remains active within the campus community.

Akinrinade's commitment extends beyond academics and athletics. She lives with sickle cell anemia, a chronic blood disorder that causes unpredictable and often severe pain. Nevertheless, she maintains a positive attitude and continues to persevere through challenges both in and out of the classroom.

Her journey to Penn State Schuylkill began when she moved to the United States from Nigeria at age 11. While the transition initially seemed hopeful, it quickly became difficult. She was placed in a household where she endured both physical and emotional abuse before eventually seeking help through emergency services. After being removed from that environment, she was reunited with her mother and now lives with her and her two younger brothers.

Throughout high school, Akinrinade worked long hours to support herself while managing her studies. Often walking to work in poor weather, she eventually taught herself to drive with the help of two mentors, Debbie and Joe, who helped fund her driving lessons. She passed her driver's test shortly before graduation and bought her first car just two days later. Graduating with a 4.1 GPA and receiving academic honors, she entered college with clear goals and strong self-discipline.

She credits her success to strong time management and a deep sense of purpose. "Balancing two jobs, two sports, and good grades as a straight A and B student is a juggling act," she said. "It's all about prioritizing and staying organized."

Akinrinade joined cross country and track thanks to the encouragement of her coach, who saw potential in her even when she didn't. "My coach believing in me and encouraging me to try long distance, even though I wasn't the best on the team, really motivated me," she said. "It's amazing how a little bit of belief from someone else can inspire you to step out of your comfort zone."

She didn't start taking the sport seriously until college, but it has since become an important part of her life. The biggest challenge she faces as an athlete is the endurance required for long-distance running. "It can get super tiring, but pushing through those tough moments is where the real growth happens," she said.

Akinrinade believes that the mental toughness developed in athletics will benefit her future career as a prison nurse. "There's always a race to face, and it's not always physical. The determination I build in cross country will help me push through and achieve my goals," she said.

Being part of the Penn State Schuylkill athletics community has also been meaningful to her. "Having the PSU Schuylkill athletics family to laugh with is the best," she said. "It's those moments of shared joy and camaraderie that really make everything worthwhile. Laughter is contagious, and having that bond with them is something special."

Through her experience as a student-athlete, Akinrinade has learned the importance of commitment and perseverance. "No one can ever be too busy if you make time for what you love," she said. "Being hardworking really does take someone far in life."

Akinrinade chose Penn State Schuylkill primarily for its affordability, which allowed her to pursue a college education. Her long-term goal is to earn her degree and begin a career as a prison nurse, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact in a challenging field.