Hi! My name is Vicky Ramirez. I am from Columbus, New Jersey and I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing group of women through Baldwin Scholars. Although I love it here in North Carolina, I am missing the cooler weather from back home. I have an older sister named Vanessa and a cat named Pumpkin, both of whom I miss very much. Also, I miss my parents, who are my biggest fans. I am Japanese, Peruvian, Native American, and African American. All parts of my background uniquely contribute to the person I am today, making me well-rounded and appreciative of other perspectives.
In high school, my STEM classes were dominated by men, and I lacked a sense of community among strong, driven women. Although the women in my family showed me how to persevere through the many obstacles that I confronted, my close friend circle was mainly men who couldn’t relate to the struggles women face every day. Through the Baldwin, I hope to make lasting connections that motivate me to continue being the girl boss I am today.
Academically, I am currently planning to major in Psychology on the Pre-Medicine track with interests in global health, political science, and morality and ethics. I am also interested in social justice advocacy and understanding social determinants that contribute to healthcare disparities within different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds and hope to study these topics more in depth during my time here at Duke.
In my free time, you can find me at the gym working out or actually working! I love being active, it is the best stress reliever and a great place to meet new friends. If not there, you can also find me downstairs in Perkins studying and procrastinating with my friends. My favorite part about being at Duke is the late-night study sessions. It feels so nice to be surrounded by people who are just as motivated as you are, and it is also comforting to know you aren’t the only one stressed! Listening to different types of music like rap, R&B, and alternative, brings me so much joy. I love going to concerts and music festivals! Back home, I loved to bake and cook different meals for my family. I am so excited to see how I will grow and change throughout Duke and especially being a part of Baldwin Scholars!