MEDIA, Pa. — Alumna Shannon Matthews, class of 2016, is connecting her hometown community and her college community to help students follow in her footsteps and receive a Penn State education. Through the $25,000 scholarship, Matthews will support residents of Chester, Pennsylvania, who enroll at Penn State Brandywine. The support, awarded in equal installments over the next five years, will go to students who, like Matthews herself, pursue degrees as adult students.

Matthews said she hopes that her support will help more of these students to choose college and choose Penn State Brandywine. Only 13.6% of people in the City of Chester, located just over six miles from Brandywine, have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, less than 1% of Brandywine’s student body comes from Chester, according to the campus registrar.

“Our community mantra is ‘What Chester Makes, Makes Chester,’” said Matthews. “I wanted to live up to that mantra from my youth. Being helpful, sharing and supporting others is a staple in Chester. Sharing is something I have always believed in doing.”

Matthews describes Chester as a small city rich with traditions, love for one another and pride in the community. “One such tradition is the annual Class Day Awards, where alumni return to award scholarships to graduating seniors,” Matthews said. “With that same spirit of giving, I wanted to extend my reach to include the next step, which is attending college at Penn State Brandywine. I also hope that students who receive this support will take advantage of all the opportunities on campus. That can truly change their lives.”

Matthews said she intends for this scholarship to benefit recent graduates and adult learners from the City of Chester who wish to continue their education. The goal of the scholarship is to eliminate barriers for people seeking a degree from Penn State Brandywine, and it will be awarded to those with demonstrated financial need.

Supporting students has long been a part of Matthews’ life. She comes from a family deeply rooted in community service and remains active with several civic and community organizations in Chester. With that, she plans to work with students where needed to ensure they are successful in obtaining their degrees, especially leveraging the mentorship program from the Alumni Society that Shannon started.

Matthews did not have a traditional journey to her degree; she attended college straight out of high school and later returned to college as an adult learner, beginning her Penn State journey after raising her children. Majoring in communication arts and sciences and double minoring in international studies and civic and community engagement, she took advantage of the study abroad options and the Blue and White Society on campus.

“Obtaining a college degree is a life-changing moment. It changes your financial opportunities, and it also changes your networking opportunities,” Matthews said. “The only way you can change your life is if you are willing to take steps needed to chart your path forward, make sacrifices to pursue your dreams and, most importantly, believe in yourself.”

After graduating from Penn State, Matthews immediately joined the Brandywine Alumni Society, where she has been a very active member for the past eight years.

“I wanted to find ways to utilize the alumni society as a tool,” she said. “I wasn’t necessarily looking to switch careers or seek a new job opportunity because I was settled into a school community, but I wanted to find a way to grow my network, expand my reach in service and share experiences and ideas to make an impact on the Brandywine community.”

Currently, Matthews works with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit at Delaware County Technical Schools where she is the community resource developer/Perkins Grant coordinator.

When providing advice to Penn State students, Matthews urges them to become involved with the activities on campus and create their own network of friends and collaborators.

“During your time in college, you want to capitalize on the opportunities on campus. When there is an opportunity to meet with alumni, talk with people about your major or your goals, take advantage of it,” she said. “Networking has many benefits; utilize those opportunities to learn and grow. It will make a difference.”

Donors like Shannon Matthews advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.