Growing up, Herinah Asaah, C’26, and her family relocated frequently due to her mother’s career in the military, living in places as widespread as California, New York, and Hawaii.
Herinah Asaah, C’26: Empowered to Uplift, Driven to Change
With support from Penn’s community and donors, Herinah is working toward a future in education equity and human rights
Published: September 2, 2025
While Herinah has always enjoyed the adventure of visiting new locales and meeting new people, Penn has offered her a stable home base to explore, learn, and engage with the community. “Starting at the University and knowing I would be here, in the same spot, for four years was really exciting for me. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know every part of campus, and my internships and jobs have allowed me to connect with different neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, as well.”
Through working with West Philadelphia children in a nonprofit summer camp and mentoring local public-school students with the Netter Center, Herinah developed a passion for educational equity. “In these organizations, I’ve been able to examine the gaps in education systems and how a lack of resources and funding directly impacts the children in these communities.” This work has inspired Herinah to focus on education as a human right, to ensure equal access for children across the globe.
Education offers choices, and I want children everywhere to have the tools they need to succeed and thrive.”Herinah Asaah, C’26
While serving as the first-year coordinator for the Penn Association for Gender Equity (PAGE), Herinah was tasked with planning a pre-orientation program for incoming students and a fall semester fellowship. Through a Reunion gift from the Class of 1982 and additional direct gifts from the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women, PAGE received the funding required to successfully execute all aspects of the program and fellowship. The impact of this generosity made a lasting impression on Herinah, and allowed her to witness firsthand the power of alumni philanthropy: “I was very inspired by the support we received from donors. When I’m an alum, I plan to give back to ensure students like me can get the most out of their education and experience at Penn.”
After graduation, Herinah plans to attend law school to focus on global education equity and human rights. “I’ve been so fortunate to grow up in a safe environment, to attend an institution like Penn, and to be surrounded by so many resources and people who genuinely want to help me succeed. I want to study how we can use the law to help children across the globe with equitable access to education.”
Regardless of where she travels beyond Locust Walk, Herinah knows she will always carry the support of her University community: “Penn has shaped me as a person and helped show me who I am. All my research projects, and my academic and extracurricular experiences, helped me build a strong network of colleagues and friends, and we get to continue supporting each other for the rest of our lives.”
