Ana Conner: An RBC All-Star

This soon-to-be RBC alumna intensely advocates for the most vulnerable.

By Sterling Giles

Upon graduation in June, Conner will graduate No. 4 in her high school class of roughly 400 students, as well as receive her associate’s degree from RBC. She majored and minored in biology and psychology respectively. In addition to being a star in the classroom, she also advocates for women’s and children’s rights and well-being. It breaks her heart to see the most vulnerable populations being mistreated and underserved the most.

“In the future, a long-term goal of mine is to establish a safe haven for those experiencing crises,” Conner said.

Conner, 18, empathizes with children who grow up in less-than-ideal circumstances because she had to endure the same. At a young age, she was in the middle of a tumultuous custody battle between her parents. But the hardship was a blessing in disguise because her father eventually married Samantha Boswell, who Conner heralds as her greatest influence and supporter.

“She’s always there for me,” Conner said. “My stepmom is always looking out for me, making sure that I’m okay, making sure I feel appreciated, and that I’m doing well.

“I think it’s really good for a teenage girl to have a woman to look up to.”

This support and care did wonders for Conner’s self-esteem and inspired her to grab life by the reins.

Conner, who attends Prince George High School, decided to enroll in the Dual Enrollment Program at Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC). Despite her initial anxiety about college coursework and culture, as well as often being the youngest person in the room, she’s held her own. She’s even tutored students who are several years her senior.

“It was definitely intimidating because I started here at 16,” Conner admitted. “And some of the people that I am tutoring are like 21 to 24 years old.

“But nobody in the academic setting, professors or anybody, treated me any differently.”

During her time at RBC, Ana has learned more about diverse and international cultures, as well as the challenges those populations face.

“I got opportunities with my internship [with the Research & Innovation department] to work with international students,” Conner said. “One of the interns was from China and the other intern was from Azerbaijan.

“I had great conversations with them about their country’s politics and history and how that all plays a role in how they live. Talking with these people is the best way to learn. There are very, very different people on this campus and I wasn’t exposed to them before—especially international students.”

Through her studies and working under the RBC Vice President and Chief Research & Innovation Officer Dr. Kimberly Boyd, Conner has learned about health disparities within the African-American community as well.

“I’ve been educated about Black maternal and child health, and African-American women and their contribution to obstetrics and gynecology,” she said.

Dr. Boyd and Dr. Marcina Porterfield, Conner’s direct supervisor, sang Conner’s praises for her diligence as a researcher and advocate.

“Ana has been a stellar intern embracing each opportunity here at Richard Bland College,” Dr. Boyd said. “She is highly motivated, independent, intellectually curious, and productive.

“Her passion for the work is evident and we can’t wait to see the inevitable strides she’s going to make in her career.”

“It’s been a pleasure working with Ana on the Maternal and Child Health initiative because of her diligence and willingness to learn,” said Dr. Porterfield, who leads the MCH initiative on campus.

Despite her community health inclination, Conner is also a lover of music and the arts. She is currently enrolled in an introduction to rock class at RBC. She’s learned Black people have not only been trailblazers in the field of medicine, but in music as well. These learnings have helped expand her worldview.

“I think it just helps you not only to be a smarter person academically, but it helps you to have a higher emotional intelligence and better awareness,” she said.

Conner has even starred in a handful of RBC commercials—some have aired during the Super Bowl.

The uniqueness and benefits of the RBC Dual Enrollment program, as well as RBC’s culture resonated with Conner.

“I’ve met a lot of really good people who want to see me succeed and who are willing to help me succeed,” Conner said.

Post-graduation Conner plans to continue her tenure at RBC for one more year and then hopes to transfer to her dream school, Johns Hopkins University. From there, she would like to pursue a career as a labor & delivery nurse or obstetrician-gynecologist.

This summer, she will participate in RBC’s Summer STEM Camp and advise students as they engage with drone and virtual reality technology, as well as mindfulness and mental health training.

It’s only the beginning for Conner. She can’t wait to make an indelible impact on her community and beyond.

“I really want to be remembered as someone who stood up for women’s rights and advocates for young women and young moms,” she said. “And I want young people to be inspired to do big things, even if they’re scared.”