Why did you choose your program and how to plan to use it in the future?

When I moved to Flagstaff eleven years ago, I planned on pursuing a degree in criminal justice to become a law enforcement officer, however, while working at The Guidance Center (a behavioral and mental health support center) as a Mental Health Technician, my career/educational path changed. I knew that as a law enforcement officer, I would encounter a variety of people with mental health issues. I understood having experience with that population would only benefit me and the people I wanted to eventually serve. Nevertheless, while working at The Guidance Center, I realized that the medical field was spiking my interest more and more. I began speaking with the nurses I worked with, while seeing first hand the necessity for mental health workers, and ended up changing my career field to Nursing. Now ten years later, I am currently headed into my third semester of nursing school and I am hoping to graduate in May of 2025. I plan on becoming a Psychiatric Nurse at Flagstaff Medical Center, with the ultimate goal of getting my masters to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

I have now worked in the medical/psychiatric field for the past eight years. I am inspired by how much our community here in Flagstaff cares about mental health and are fighting to be able to provide more and more medical resources in Northern Arizona. Working at the Behavioral Health Unit at Flagstaff Medical Center has opened my eyes at what a difference we are making in our community. We receive patients from all over Arizona, many of whom have been to different facilities with varying experiences. I can’t count the number of times I have been told that the Flagstaff Medical Center unit is by far one of the best behavioral health units in Arizona due to our dedicated staff and progressive services. Hearing what a difference we make in people's lives is what keeps inspiring me to earn my nursing license. I want to be able to gain experience that helps our community, eventually becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner that provides essential health services here in Northern Arizona.

Why did you choose your program and how to plan to use it in the future?

I chose the Residential Construction program because I want to learn more about construction work and its processes. Another reason I chose this program is because I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment from a finished project, especially after putting in some hard work. My plan for using the knowledge I gain for this program to become a general contractor and become my own boss.

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

One way that my community inspires me is that currently there are several new builds around the neighborhood. Some go up quickly, some take time. Whatever the project, whenever I pass by I get to see the progression of the build. Being able to watch this progress is inspiring because it is fun to see the contractors start from nothing and what seems like no time at all to having a nice finished product.

Why did you choose your program and how to plan to use it in the future?

I am getting my Masters in Public Health with a specific focus in Applied Epidemiology in hopes of later attending medical school to become a Forensic Pathologist. Epidemiologic methods will be invaluable in strengthening my understanding and abilities in designing valid and generalizable studies - this has the potential to positively influence my thinking in study design, data collection, and population health research overall. Both epidemiology and pathology cover the ever growing range of human diseases from different angles. Merging these studies offers a unique opportunity to break down chronic diseases at molecular, cellular, and population levels. With pathology providing details on disease processes and early recognition, epidemiology complements this with perspective on study design and provides unique etiological factors - this merging of sciences is what I hope to study through my internship. In combination with my career goals, I am hoping that expanding my understanding of applied epidemiology will later influence my applications of pathology in a professional setting; that being able to round out my education with courses in study design, data interpretation, and appropriate statistical methods, applied epidemiology as a basis for my later pathologic studies will provide invaluable insight into etiologic factors as they relate to different pathogenic mechanisms.

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

I chose to continue my education in Public Health as a way to learn more about my community in life. As an aspiring pathologist, my studies will eventually encompass postmortem patients and their unique pathologies. Public health, however, will teach me about my community as they live their unique lives today. There is so much that can be learned from life to inspire studies in death, and this is where my main inspiration comes from. The incidence, distribution, and control of diseases varies between communities and populations; when my studies begin to dive deeper into such epidemiologies, I look forward to learning more about my community from the new perspective of being able to help. Help provide insight into the incidence of diseases, their distribution throughout the community, and how to potentially prevent their spread altogether.

Why did you choose your program and how to plan to use it in the future?

I choose the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program because I would like to pursue my career as a Neurosurgeon. As a Neurosurgeon, I will dedicate myself to saving lives whatever the situation may be. Believing in myself as well as asking my family and friends for help can get me to where I truly want to go.

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

My community guides me and allows to pursue my dreams of trying to graduate as a First-gen college student as well as the first one in the family that is going to be a doctor. As a puerto-rican, Mexican, and African American, I believe that all 3 of

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

My community inspires me to be a person with a good heart who cares about others and serves as an inspiration. As an immigrant, I never thought I could go far in my education. I still remember facing difficult times in my life, and I always gave my best effort because my community helped me stay close to my mom, provided food, and ensured I had a place to live. This support constantly reminded me to work harder, even when I struggled with tough classes or didn’t achieve the grades I wanted.

In my free time, I often volunteered at the local food bank, helping to prepare food for those in need. I also encouraged people who had dropped out of school to reconsider their decisions and return to their studies.

Currently, my mom and I live in an apartment complex where many seniors reside. I volunteer to help Vietnamese seniors who don’t speak English by translating their mail, making doctors’ appointments, and educating them on how to take their medications correctly. Every time I can help them, I feel happy and fulfilled.

My community inspires me to be a useful person who contributes to making life better for others. As I prepare to become a pharmacist next year, I am eager to make a meaningful impact on healthcare services.

Why did you choose your program and how to plan to use it in the future?

My determination to pursue a double major in physiology and psychological sciences was shaped by my exposure to the field of medicine at the age of 10, when my father's kidneys failed. As a result, I witnessed and experienced the physical and emotional impacts of my dad’s declining health. At the time, I became deeply inspired by the medical professionals who offered hope and genuine care and concern. I am interested in psychological sciences to learn about matters of psychology and mental health, areas of impact for individuals and their families living with chronic health conditions. Upon completion of my bachelors degree, I plan to enter the College of Medicine at the UofA and chase my dreams of becoming a medical doctor in nephrology or psychiatry.

How does your community(ies) inspire you?

My community inspires me to be a leader and make a difference. Throughout my life, I have joined clubs like student council, link crew, NHS, and dance, which exposed me to community service experiences. I am grateful to have served my community and schools in my life, because I have learned many lessons such as effective collaboration, communication, teamwork, and servant leadership. There have also been many people who have left a positive impact on me, both academically and personally. I have been supported by family, friends, community members, and educators that have helped me be successful in all I have done. They have motivated me to continue to grow as a leader and person, and to make a difference in the world. I am inspired to be a positive light to others, as has been shown to me.

Freya Abraham is the daughter of Francy and Neetha Abraham and the sister of Alfred Abraham. She is a Neuroscience and Cognitive Science major at the University of Arizona, with minors in Psychology, Spanish, and Biochemistry. Freya is a Patient Experience intern at Banner University Medical Center-Tucson in a neuro med-surg unit, a preceptor for Intro to Physics, and a science communication instructor for high school students competing in SARSEF competitions. She has cofounded Give a Book, Grow a Mind, a childhood reading initiative, and completed biochemistry work as a Banner Neurological Institute summer intern in an ALS lab.

At the UA, Freya is a Wildcats RISE peer mentor, running psychological first aid sessions weekly via telehealth, and a research assistant in the Neuroscience of Emotions and Thought Lab, running the Mind Window study and collecting data on human thought patterns and social/demographic factors. At the W.A. Franke Honors College, she is a facilitator for the Big Ideas, Grand Challenges discussion series and the co-chair of the committee for the Five Star Faculty Award.

A regular volunteer at her church and for Shalom Ministries, Freya looks forward to learning more about developmental pediatrics and pediatric neurology as she works toward a career in medicine. She is extremely grateful for the financial support she has received towards this goal.

Marshall Morgan is a fourth-year Barrett Honors College student at Arizona State University. Prior to enrolling in Arizona State University, he grew up in the rural town of Rio Rico, Arizona. While growing up in a small rural town, he had the opportunity to develop a strong admiration for the environment and history which later, inspired him to pursue two degrees in Sustainability and History, with a minor in Parks and Protected Area Management.

Throughout his time at Arizona State University, he has been able to effectively divide time between academics and extracurricular activities. His involvement includes serving as the Director of Sustainability with Undergraduate Student Government, President of the Epsilon Chapter of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., serving as a Board Member of the ASU Sustainability Advocacy and Awareness Board and as a Board Member of the Interfraternity Council Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board.

“While I have been able to make the most of my experience as a Sun Devil, I am only able to continue doing so because I work several jobs and because of the financial assistance, I received. For that reason, I would also like to take this time to thank the Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association of Arizona and the SEED scholarship donors for the opportunity to continue pursuing a higher education. I am forever grateful for your consideration!”