This month, we are proud to recognize Anna Shohfi as our Student-Athlete of the Month! A senior member of the volleyball team, Anna has distinguished herself not only through her athletic performance but also through her leadership, service, and commitment to personal growth throughout her four years.
 
One of Anna Shohfi's most impactful experiences has been her involvement as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative.
 
"Being a SAAC representative has been important to me," she said recently, "because it has given me the opportunity to develop leadership skills since I was an underclassman while learning what it means to represent my program with integrity off the court."
 
Through this work, Anna has served as a vital bridge between her team and the broader Penn Athletics community, gaining valuable experience as both a communicator and leader.
 
Anna has also dedicated her time to meaningful service initiatives. This includes Team IMPACT, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting young patients living with rare diseases to collegiate athletic teams, with a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships with their families.
 
For Anna, the impact of this work is deeply personal: "These kids truly admire us, and being able to spend even a small part of our day with them can mean so much." She added that even small moments of connection can provide meaningful relief for families navigating difficult circumstances.
 
Her commitment to leadership development is further reflected in her four-year involvement with the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA).
 
"When I discovered PAWLA," she said, "it honestly was the perfect forum to explore these interests, learn more about myself, and continue becoming the best teammate I could be."
 
As a captain on her team, she felt a responsibility to stay engaged and represent her team, saying, "That responsibility pushed me to get to know myself, become comfortable with feedback, and build confidence in navigating conflict."
 
When asked about the most rewarding part of her experience as a student-athlete, Anna emphasized the importance of impact and relationships.
 
"The most rewarding part has been the opportunity to leave people and a program better than you found them," she said. From her freshman year—when the team faced one of its toughest seasons—to her senior year marked by milestone victories, Anna has played a key role in the program's growth.
 
"What stands out most are the relationships and core memories, along with the pride of knowing I helped leave a legacy of hard work and commitment within Penn Volleyball."
 
Anna is also leaving her mark through her capstone project, a PAWLA Alumni Leadership Forum designed to connect current student-athletes with former Penn leaders. "We are bringing back PAWLA alumni to speak on a panel about their leadership experiences at Penn, including advice they wish they had as student-athletes." The event aims to foster meaningful conversations and provide valuable insights about transitioning leadership skills gained in PAWLA to life beyond Penn, while also creating opportunities for connection within the Penn network.
 
As she prepares to graduate, Anna offers thoughtful advice to underclassmen.
 
"My advice would be to soak up all the amazing things Penn has to offer before you graduate, not just the sport you play." She encourages student-athletes to embrace all aspects of their identity, adding, "Don't put yourself in a box just because you're an athlete; you're an athlete plus a million other things." Above all, she emphasizes the importance of connection and curiosity: "When the opportunity arises to explore your interests, say yes to that thing! You never know where a conversation might lead."
 
Anna's journey reflects the very best of what it means to be a Penn student-athlete—dedicated, thoughtful, and committed to making a lasting impact. We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes after graduation.

READ OUR OTHER CSAS PROFILES!
March - Cole Riedinger C'26, Men's Heavyweight Rowing
February - Makenna Damhorst 'C27, Gymnastics
January - Will Bergin C'25, Football
December - Carly Oniki C'26, Gymnastics
November - Leah Finkelman C'27, Women's Soccer
October - Hao Cui W'26, Men's Squash