We’re in Fairfax: Vershawn Hansen
Having grown up in the Austin neighborhood, Vershawn is a proud native of the west side of Chicago. He attended high school at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, then completed a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW-Madison, Vershawn forged a path of student activism, which fueled his passion of advocating for others—it was then that Vershawn realized a career in medicine was his purpose. After college, Vershawn struggled to work full-time and study for the medical college admissions test, so he decided to enroll in the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program and earned a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Drexel University. Currently, Vershawn is a Senior Laboratory Technician at Fairfax Cryobank, where he helps individuals and couples create families. In August, he will enter the Drexel University College of Medicine to pursue his passion of promoting health advocacy and mitigating health inequities.
What is your current role? How would you describe the work that you do?
I am currently a Senior Laboratory Technician at Fairfax Cryobank, where I perform evaluation and cryopreservation of semen samples, with the goal of helping people achieve pregnancy via assisted reproduction procedures, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, in August, I am entering medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine, where I hope to gain the skills necessary to advocate for the medically vulnerable by improving access and health literacy across medically underserved communities.
What was your Chicago Scholars experience like?
When I first heard of Chicago Scholars, I was a bit apprehensive because I was unsure of how much it could really help me. Yet, my experience turned out to be incredibly positive and transformative. The program was engaging and interactive, with a personalized approach through mentorship—which I needed. My mentor, Liz, was earning her PhD in Neuroscience, and she really reaffirmed my passion for science and told me it was okay to be a little nerdy. I then went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, so thank you Liz.
How did Chicago Scholars support you to be the person you are today?
Becoming a Chicago Scholar was a pivotal decision that profoundly shaped the person I am today. Beyond stimulating me academically and helping me navigate the college application process, Chicago Scholars became my biggest support system. The CS team instilled in me a sense of resilience and perseverance, teaching me to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. Their unwavering support bolstered my confidence and helped me develop a growth mindset that I carry with me to this day.
What advice would you have given yourself just after being accepted into the program? What advice do you have for current Scholars?
The advice I would give to 17-year-old Vershawn is the same that I have for current Scholars: be open to receiving help because asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Accepting help requires vulnerability and humility, which are important traits for personal growth. It involves acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers, leading to increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
What does being from Chicago mean to you now?
The pride I have in being from Chicago is immeasurable! Everyone I meet knows where I am from, and I never let them forget it. The greatest gift of being from Chicago is the sense belonging that comes with being part of such a dynamic and resilient community.
What do you wish people knew about Chicago Scholars, as well as the city of Chicago?
Chicago Scholars is where potential is realized and where confidence is gained.