Davidson Scholar Soars as Community Liaison on Path to Medical School

Richard Guerrero, a senior Posse Scholar at Davidson College, is pre-med with dual majors in sociology and biology.

In the spring of 2020, Richard’s study abroad experience at Queen Mary University of London was cut short, but he was able to continue his studies domestically at social services Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, North Carolina. The support role saw him working as a translator alongside the social workers, helping patients with applications and securing appointments.

“At Ada Jenkins, things had to be done differently,” Richard says, detailing the unique experience of helping a busy community organization pivot to digital work. “We didn’t have anyone come in the space, and we had lots of Zoom calls, but we still worked with social workers to help people get aid for rent.”

When a position on the organization’s board of directors opened, a previous director invited Richard to lunch and asked him to join in a formal role. Richard accepted and has since become the founder and leader of the board’s diversity committee.

“Posse is one big family, and we’re there for each other when we need each other.”

His past community work has also included summers in the Dominican Republic, where Richard utilized grants from the Davidson Civic Engagement Office to teach English, science and math at the country’s Ninos De Cristo Orphanage. Richard has stayed in contact with the administration and staff to reach his students.

Now back on campus at Davidson in his final year, Richard continues to lead the school’s Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapter, which helps students refine skills for future medical careers by preparing for and participating in national competitions. Richard was part of his high school’s chapter of the club and took it upon himself to bring it Davidson.

Richard says the Davidson Posse community has also provided integral support over the years.

“Posse is one big family, and we’re there for each other when we need each other,” he says.

After graduating this May, Richard plans on entering a one-year master’s program in medical science followed by medical school.