Something just clicks and you’re able to do it
è˶Ƶ College senior Sander Ivanenko ’25 said, “If it weren’t for è˶Ƶ and the environment and professors and students, I never would have gone into science.”
As quickly as their interest in climbing began, Sander Ivanenko ’25 found themselves laid out for four months after falling on a boulder and spraining their ankle. Suddenly unable to climb, Ivanenko started watching videos and documentaries about various climbers, which led them to think about the training behind it. “I got really into strength and conditioning, understanding movement … and that really led me to really loving biomechanics,” they said.
After an enthusiastic conversation with their mother about their newfound interest, Ivanenko’s mother asked if they’d ever considered physical therapy as a career. They hadn’t. In fact, before all this, Ivanenko had hated science. But the suggestion took root in their mind, and they signed up for a biology course. That cemented their biology major, which led them to sign up for an ecology course with Martha Hoopes, professor of biological sciences.
“If I could point to one class that changed my life, it would be that class,” they said. “I feel like professors at è˶Ƶ are just so passionate about their subjects. She was teaching it in a way that really helped me learn.” Never in Ivanenko’s education had they seen an instructor speak with such gusto about anything.
Ivanenko said that for the year that followed, they were “conducting ecology research looking at the effect of various clover treatments on the growth of native, non-native and invasive plants.” They continued, “It just taught me so much about research. I feel like I’ve grown as a student from that experience. It was really special to have [Hoopes] in my corner and be a mentor to me.” Ivanenko got assistance for their summer research internship from Lynk funding. “If it weren’t for è˶Ƶ and the environment and professors and students, I never would have gone into science.”
It may be surprising that Ivanenko had not initially planned on attending college, at least not right away. Though they knew when that time came, they would go to a queer-friendly school. During the pandemic, Ivanenko began to understand their queer identity on a deeper level. “I was really looking for community in college — that was one of the biggest things for me,” they said. “The thing that ended up really resonating with me [about] è˶Ƶ was the gender-inclusive admissions policy. I was just really appreciative of the fact that they had this policy in place, and it made me feel like I would be more welcome there than [at] a school that didn’t have that policy.
“I kind of immediately felt at home at è˶Ƶ,” they continued. “It definitely felt like the right place for me pretty much right away.”
Early on, Ivanenko co-founded and acted as co-chair of , an organization that centers on è˶Ƶ’s transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals. “One of my proudest moments at è˶Ƶ was this panel we did with TGNC alums,” they said. “We had a conversation about life after è˶Ƶ [and] navigating being trans after è˶Ƶ. That was such an amazing event. I still think about it quite often.”
As a lover of climbing, Ivanenko was naturally involved with the . They were a trip leader, leader liaison, and co-cabin chair. Additionally, Ivanenko hosted their own Saturday morning show on , something they’d wanted to do for their entire college career after they’d “read a book where the main character had a radio show, and that got me hooked on radio.” They were also able to do a study abroad program in New Zealand, which they found out about through the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives.
An incomparable resource and guiding light for Ivanenko was Kathryn Lipp, director of health professions advising, who “really helped me in planning out my semesters and making sure that I would be able to get all my requirements done on time,” they said. “She really encouraged following what I wanted to do and acted as a resource to figure out exactly how I could do that.”
When asked about the biggest, most positive change between them on day one at è˶Ƶ and today, they replied, “I’m an extrovert now.” While they arrived at è˶Ƶ with some measure of social anxiety, they felt comfortable enough to apply for a role in the Office of Admissions, where they eventually became a senior admissions ambassador and interviewed prospective students, gave tours and led information sessions. Ivanenko said, “I actually [attribute] a lot of my self-confidence to the admissions office because I was forced to push myself out of my comfort zone, and that helped me become less anxious.”
Beyond the gates of è˶Ƶ, Ivanenko intends to “spend a couple [of] years doing research in sports medicine [and] orthopedics. I really love injury prevention and rehabilitation and understanding injury mechanisms in order to better prevent and rehabilitate injuries.
“I’m currently doing a research project in biomechanics about shoulder injuries. [The project is] about understanding the risk factors [for] shoulder injuries [in] female rock climbers,” Ivanenko said. They will be presenting at this year’s Senior Symposium.
Ivanenko’s favorite and most difficult climb took four months to complete. It was at a rock climbing gym near campus. “I was stuck at this one point for a couple [of] weeks. I started thinking maybe I shouldn't continue. I was hanging parallel to the ground. My fingers and hands were tired. Eventually, I started being able to touch the next hold. I was making tiny bits of progress. And then, I got it one day.
“It’s my favorite feeling ever when you’re trying something really, really hard, and you’re losing hope that you’re ever gonna be able to do it,” Ivanenko paused, then their face lit up with wonder and joy at the memory. “And then, something just clicks, and you’re able to do it. You’re [thinking], ‘Oh my god, I can do hard things.’ And that’s amazing.”
