Expanding horizons, fostering empowerment

Photo by Adam Atkinson

By Stella Katsipoutis-Varkanis

At first, Peaches Dargbeh ’27 considered her transatlantic journey from Liberia to the U.S. a stepping stone toward her long-held aspiration: to get a college degree and someday return home as a human rights lawyer. What she didn’t anticipate was finding a second home at Lafayette—where she’s since learned that when it comes to her passion for helping others, there’s no such thing as borderlines. 

The impetus for Dargbeh’s pursuit of a career specifically as an advocate for victims of gender-based violence in Liberia began with her own childhood experiences: “I grew up in a low-income family with a single mother,” Dargbeh says. “I saw how being limited in what she could provide for me and my sister made things difficult for my mom. Now, I want to be that help for others who are in the same position.”

After being awarded a full scholarship from SHE-CAN—an organization that provides access to U.S. college educations for high-achieving young women from Liberia, Cambodia, and Guatemala—during her senior year in high school, Dargbeh was determined to find a college where she knew she’d be accepted, valued, and included. “I realized if I was to leave an entire continent to move to another, it was important I went to a college where I was going to be part of something bigger than just being a student—a college where I felt at home,” she says.

Dargbeh has since built a nest for herself at the College, where her dreams have not only been nurtured by the support of faculty, fellow students, and staff, but also given wings to take flight in unexpected ways. “Initially, my plan was to get in and get out, but I fell in love with the people at Lafayette and the campus as a whole,” Dargbeh says. “Now, my plan has changed. I’m making the most out of my time here.” 

Currently a sophomore, the international affairs and history double major is already following through with her plan. As a DYER Fellow, Dargbeh is partnering with the Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to start a nonprofit aimed at helping single mothers in Liberia attain financial independence. The mentors and friends she’s gained through the center, Dargbeh explains, are helping her through the critical first stages of getting the organization off the ground—from fleshing out the concept and writing the business proposal, to building a website and recruiting donors. “The Dyer Center has greatly impacted me as an entrepreneur,” she says, “and I know my Dyer teammates are always there for me.”

Photo by Adam Atkinson

Through her work on campuswide efforts as a member of International Students Association (ISA) and Association of Black Collegians (ABC), Dargbeh helps Lafayette’s minority students feel at home—the same way those organizations welcomed her when she arrived on College Hill. “My first year, I was shy because of the language barrier, and I felt homesick,” she says. “But ISA and ABC helped me get to know the campus, and showed me that I was needed—that I could make an impact here.” As a member of the Badminton Club, which she also joined in her first year thanks to the encouragement of her friends, Dargbeh proudly passes on the club’s values of teamwork and friendship to new members.

The reach of Dargbeh’s philanthropic efforts extends beyond campus grounds as well. Through the Landis Center for Community Engagement, she assists Easton-area high school students with college applications. And last summer, Dargbeh conducted research on food insecurity in Easton as a Sustainability Fellow with the Office of Sustainability and LaFarm, helping distribute food to local families in need. 

“I came to America with the mindset that only people in Liberia need my help; I thought there was no way I could help this country,” Dargbeh says. “But spending time in the food pantry, meeting families and hearing their stories, I realized no matter where you are, there’s always some way you can make a difference.”

Sharing her experiences while giving tours of the College to prospective students as an admissions ambassador, Dargbeh says, is a consistent reminder that Lafayette is exactly where she belongs. “You can do anything at this college. It accepts you as you are and gives you space to grow—allowing you to create your own path, while guiding you toward your goal. Lafayette is home to me. The family I’ve gained and the person I’ve grown into here are a huge part of what’s going to make me successful in the future.” 

Before she eventually heads to law school, Dargbeh plans to continue expanding her academic horizons at Lafayette. She hopes to dive deeper into women’s, gender, and sexuality studies to learn how she can advocate for the rights of not only women but also members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who continue to face persecution in countries like Liberia.

“The most important thing I learned at Lafayette is to be my authentic self,” Dargbeh says. “Go out into the world, do the things you love, and do it like no one is watching. It’s about passion. Whatever drives you, follow it.”