Meet our Ambassadors

Our ambassadors are a vital part of our office. They help us at Purdue recruiting events, speak with us in classes, and represent our office around campus. We rely on them for feedback about services and for suggestions. In return, they gain important skills they can use to demonstrate competencies in their professional applications such as social skills, communication skills, cultural competency, reliability, and professionalism.

Learn more about our Ambassadors below, or visit our YouTube channel to hear them talk about their own experiences and offer advice to new pre-professional students.

PPA is currently accepting PPA Ambassador applications for the 2023-2024 academic year. Apply by 5pm on Monday, March 27, 2023.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

 

PPA Ambassadors

Cecilia

• Major: Health Sciences
• Pre-Physical Therapy
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: Rising Professionals Host, Member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Health Cares Club, Greek Life Bible Study, church volunteer, Gymnastics Instructor, Summertime nanny, running, water-sports
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  
  • My advice to a first-year pre-professional student is to keep an organized schedule. It helped me so much my first year to have a planner with all of my exam dates or other important dates. This gives you a visual of when you need to take more free time to study, or when you have time to relax and do some things for yourself. Time management makes college less overwhelming and keeps your life organized. 
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I chose to attend Purdue because it had everything I was looking for in a college. The Health Science major was not too specific and there are a lot of concentrations available. I enjoy Purdue's community because everyone takes pride in the school.

Elise

• Major: Genetics
• Pre-Genetic Counseling
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: I am a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, College Mentors for Kids (General Manager), and supervisor for Boiler Gold Rush.
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  
  • Take advantage of all the opportunities Purdue has to offer! Getting involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people and help build your resume.
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I chose Purdue because not only does it have a strong STEM curriculum, but everyone I met from Purdue was welcoming and kind when I toured the school. 

Emme

• Major: Health and Disease
• Pre-Dental
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: Group X Fitness Instructor, Boiler Gold Rush Team Leader, Delta Gamma, Pre-Dental Club, Intramural Sports
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  
  • My biggest piece of advice is to try and get involved on campus as soon as you can! It's the best way to create a strong community, meet people with both similar and different interests, and create so many fun memories. Also, don't be scared to try something new or out of your comfort zone!
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I come from a huge Purdue family, so they knew I was going here before I did! At the end of the day, I felt that Purdue would provide opportunity for me to grow and succeed in all aspects of my life. I definitely made the right choice and I've loved my experience here!

Fiona

• Major: Animal Science
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: University Choir, Campus Outreach, undergraduate research with the Candace Croney Research Group, College of Agriculture Dean’s Scholar, Helping Paws, Honor’s College, veterinary assistant, surgery veterinary assistant at MedVet Indianapolis
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  
  • Don’t feel discouraged if you face challenges or setbacks. Always move forward and be proud of what you have done and excited for what is to come. Try new things, join fun clubs, go to events, make friends in different majors, and discover all that Purdue has to offer!
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I always knew Purdue was the place for me. Both of my parents went here and we have always been Purdue fans. I was even more sure about coming here when I went on the college tour and immediately felt at home and excited for this chapter of my life. It’s even better that Purdue offers my major (and has a great reputation with it!) and a College of Veterinary Medicine!

Gladys

• Major: Biomedical Health Sciences and Medical Laboratory Sciences, minor in Psychology
• Pre-Medicine
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: President of University Residences Multicultural Connection, Volunteer Coordinator in Women of Color in Health Care Association, Purdue Student Union Board, Boiler Tracks, Core Leadership Team of the HHS Success Mentors Program, Pre-Professional Ambassador, African Student Association, Nigerian Student Association, Early Start/Summer Start Mentor, Haraka Writers.
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  
  • It’s a good idea for you to come up with a plan early on so you are not struggling later but let it be flexible. Remember things change and everything doesn’t always go as planned, so go easy on yourself and take breaks when things get stressful. Don’t look at what other students are doing, everyone is on different journeys with the same destination take your time and enjoy you’re journey. Find ways to destress and create health habits. Its okay to fail as long as you get back up and ask for help in the areas where you are struggling. Also be comfortable going out of your comfort zone and try to talk to people you normally won’t talk to you never know what you may learn!
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I came to Purdue because I loved the campus. It’s beautiful here and the red brick is wonderful. Also because of all the resources available to students and how friendly everyone is here. I also love how even though we are a large campus it still feels like a small one. Its easy to get involved in organizations here and there are always fairs and events for professional development (or just to get free stuff!)

 

Jenna

• Major: Health Sciences
• Pre-Medicine
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: College of Health and Human Sciences Ambassador, College of Health and Human Sciences Success Mentor, Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society (President), Boiler Serves: Community Engagement Learning Community, Get Onboard Active Learning (GOAL) University, Leadership Experience at Purdue (LEAP), Caduceus Club, American Medical Student Association 
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • If you're from a small high school, like I was, be prepared for much larger class sizes! Some of your lectures may have 300-400 students, so try and find a group to sit with.
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • In the stress of college decision season, it was ultimately financial fit and degree flexibility that allowed me to choose Purdue with ease.  Purdue’s tuition freeze and financial support made attending a well-known and respected institution attainable.  I also found security in the flexibility of the Health Sciences, Pre-Professional programs.  Knowing the ease of switching concentrations has allowed me to continue exploring my interests while still completing course requirements for various professional school programs. 

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Kelsey

• Major: Biomedical Health Sciences
• Pre-Dental
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: President of Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies, Pre-Professional Ambassador, Pre-Dental Club Member, MEDLIFE Club Member, Substitute Teacher at Plymouth Community Schools Corporation, and Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • Be confident in anything that you choose to do! Regardless of what you plan to do in life, confidence is key and you must believe in yourself before anyone else can even begin to.
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I chose Purdue because I felt like I was wanted at this university. When I first showed interest in Purdue and their Health Sciences program, I was immediately reciprocated with the same enthusiasm. Their eagerness to make me a Boilermaker was also evident in their financial aid. I knew that when I accepted that I was not just any other student to Purdue, but I was someone who was going to make an impact.
    

Lynley

• Major: Psychology & Brain and Behavioral Sciences
• Pre-Medicine
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Psi-Chi Honor Society Member, Summer Volunteer for Bartholomew County 4-H, Parks and Rec Youth Soccer Coach
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  •  My advice for a first-year pre-professional students is to stay dedicated, and don’t forget your end goal. Go to every class, always ask questions (in class or email a TA), try to find a healthy routine you can fall into each semester, create weekly lists of assignments due, and never forget that you can learn anything you set your mind to. If something is difficult to understand, just put in the effort to find someone who can help explain it to you in a way that you can understand. The work you do here will prepare you for where you want to go!
• Why did you choose Purdue University? 
  • Purdue is a family school that goes back generations for me, so I always knew I would eventually be a student here, myself. Many people gave me a hard time for choosing Purdue instead of IU for Pre-Medical studies, but that never deterred me for two reasons. 1: Purdue has a phenomenal Science Department, and everything in medicine is rooted in science. 2: I knew I would be unhappy attending undergrad somewhere I didn’t truly love, nor could ever find it in myself to love. Undergraduates should be focused on their studies, but it’s just as important to be happy at the school you attend.

Madelyn

• Major: Biomedical Health Sciences
• Pre-Physician Assistant
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: Alpha Chi Omega Vice President of Recruitment, Caduceus Club, Pre-PA Club, and Purdue Dance Marathon.
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • The best advice that I can give you, that I have learned over the past two years, would be to not stress over your future career choice so much and to just accept that you will have doors open and closed throughout your journey so be open to change.
• Why did you choose Purdue University? 
  • I chose Purdue becuase right when I stepped onto campus, I had an overwhelming feeling that I was at home. I felt so comfortable and excited to start this new chapter in my life and be able to explore all the opportunities Purdue had to offer. 

Sara

• Major: Public Health
• Pre-Medicine
• Grad Date: May 2024
• Activities: Executive Board Member AMSA, Habitat for Humanity Club, Pre-Professional
  Ambassador, Food Finders Pantry Volunteer
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • My advice for any first-year pre-professional students is don’t let setbacks discourage you,
    every story is different and no path is linear. As soon as you get to campus start researching
    about what makes a well-rounded applicant to your pre-professional school of choice and
    plan accordingly. Lastly, don’t stress too much about the future, just enjoy in the present.
• Why did you choose Purdue University? 
  • I’ve known I wanted to be a doctor since I was a sophomore in high school, so when
    looking at colleges I wanted to choose somewhere that would give me the resources I
    needed to be a successful applicant to medical school. Purdue not only offered
    academically rigorous courses but happens to have many resources for pre-professional
    students like myself which was a big draw for me. Some examples of these include mock
    interviewing, resume help, the career closet etc.

Sophia

• Major: Biology
• Pre-Dental
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: Color Captain of Purdue University Dance Marathon, Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Interdisciplinary Women’s Reproductive Health Collaborative, Boiler Gold Rush Team Leader International, Pre-Dental Club member.
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • My advice would be to constantly set goals for yourself! The small goals you make for yourself will help keep you on track, while your end-goal will give you something to look forward to.
• Why did you choose Purdue University?
  • I chose Purdue because when I came for a tour as a high schooler, I felt like I was very similar to the students here; and that proved true! We are focused, well-rounded, and committed to pursuing our goals. Purdue also has such a friendly and student-oriented campus with lots of diversity.

 

Vincent

• Major: Health Science with minors in Biology and Psychology
• Pre-Physician Assistant
• Grad Date: May 2023
• Activities: Health and Human Sciences Student Ambassador, Health and Human Science Student Council, American Red Cross, Pre-PA Club, Toxicology Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Personal Trainer at the Co-Rec.
• What advice would you give to a first-year preprofessional student?
  • Managing your time is key! You have time to succeed in class while balancing extracurriculars as long as you plan ahead. I'd also recommend going to office hours and utilizing help sessions if a particular subject seems difficult as well as trying to find the clubs/organizations that you seem interested in and begin getting involved. Purdue has so many resources to help you succeed, don't wait to start asking questions you have!
• Why did you choose Purdue?
  • I got my first impression of Purdue when I toured my senior year and absolutely loved the campus! Purdue is like a small city and always seems to be building something new. The diversity of students was another component that influenced by decision because I knew it would be amazing to work with students from other countries with unique worldviews. Finally, the major I chose is very flexible at Purdue and allows students to easily change their major or concentration if they decide to change careers.