Natalie Campos ’26, a biology major and Spanish minor, is passionate about cancer-based research and working with Spanish-speaking communities to address health inequities. She was recently awarded a scholarship for her dedicated work and commitment to service.
Natalie Campos ’26, a first-generation student from Los Angeles, California, was recently awarded the Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship—a prestigious honor awarded by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) to recognize students of high dedication to impactful community service. She was one of the 11 students nationwide to receive the scholarship.
Before attending Gettysburg College, Campos participated in a medical mission project in Guatemala for 10 days, working as a translator, room circulator, and scribe. “I transcribed a doctor’s assessment of an older woman whose large facial tumor controlled her life, affecting her daily activities and self-image,” she said. “Having worked closely with her, our bond showed me that bridging cultural and language gaps in medicine is as vital as the treatments themselves, especially for patients who can't afford or access care.”
As a STEM Scholar at Gettysburg, Campos knew that she wanted to study biology, with a particular interest in cancer research. “Having seen firsthand the impact of cancer on my family and losing my best friend to leukemia in high school, I am motivated to pursue this work,” she explained.
Following her first year on campus, Campos conducted melanoma research alongside Biology Prof. Matthew Kittleberger through the Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG) and conducted peer mentored research with Biology Prof. Melanie Eshelman.
This past summer, Campos interned at the National Cancer Institute—the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research. “I am forever grateful for the professors here who have fostered my curiosity in the sciences,” she shared. “Whether it be shadowing a class or engaging in a conversation about their research, professor mentorship and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping my academic and career pursuits.”
Campos further fuels her commitment to community service as vice president of the American Cancer Society chapter at Gettysburg, especially in promoting the club’s annual Relay for Life event. Yearlong advising for this event is aimed at raising money and support for cancer research, while also taking time to remember loved ones impacted by the disease.
Showcasing exemplary service through CPS
One way that Campos has combined her passion for medicine with her drive to understand health inequities in other countries is by participating in immersion trips led by the Center for Public Service (CPS). During her first year at Gettysburg, she went on a service trip to Costa Rica, with the theme being health and education as human rights. During her sophomore year, she led that same trip.
“I really appreciate the work that CPS does, especially with Spanish-speaking communities,” Campos shared. One of her most meaningful visits was to La Carpio, a community comprised largely of Salvadorian and Nicaraguan migrants. “We were given a tour of the community, trying local food as well as learning about housing and living conditions—which have improved due to residents' efforts—and the government plans to legalize land ownership,” she said. “Visiting this community inspired my final paper for my Spanish class, focusing on Costa Rica’s national treaties regarding education, healthcare, and housing rights to residents.”
Campos also demonstrates her exemplary service by having volunteered for other programs through CPS. Each year, she attends Celebra tú Salud, a program offered to Spanish-speaking communities to discuss healthy food choices and the importance of physical health. She has also volunteered at Salsa on the Square—a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month—and El Centro tutoring, which is a program designed for bilingual children to receive help with their homework.
“Volunteering at El Centro made me feel like a kid again,” Campos reflected. “From reading Dr. Seuss in Spanish to playing video games and getting creative with art projects, it was a chance to escape the stress of college life and just have fun.”
Campos was nominated for the Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship by the staff in CPS. They recognize her strong dedication to service, which is evident through her passionate efforts in driving meaningful change. After graduation, she hopes to apply her leadership, intercultural fluency, and other enduring skills she deepened at Gettysburg to confront cancer and healthcare disparities.
“I was not sure how to make my mark being over 2,500 miles away from home,” Campos said, “but Gettysburg has allowed me to pursue paths that I once deemed impossible.”
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By Brooke Askin ’25
Photos by Diptiman Das ’27 and submitted by Natalie Campos '26
Posted: 12/16/24