From the president
Cindy is majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biological Sciences. In addition to her rigorous academic plan, she is also an Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholar to promote increased community access to quality healthcare. Cindy earned a 4.0 GPA at McHenry County College, earning her Associate of Science degree before transferring to NIU. She is committed to improving our understanding of the social determinants in health. Cindy has participated in the Research Rookies program, aiding in a survey on mental health of health care professionals. She also presented her findings at NIU’s Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement and was awarded second place in the Health and Human Sciences category, a testament to her research capabilities and communication skills. Her goal is to become a physician assistant.
Personal Statement
As a small-town girl and first-generation transfer student, opportunities such as the Newman Civic Fellowship allow me to grow as an individual who respects and practices the virtues important toward leading a fulfilling life. For me, community involvement is fundamental. It is not enough to focus on me, myself, or I. When we reach beyond our individualistic tendencies to take care of others, we are able to obtain deeper meaning within our own lives.
Being a student at Northern Illinois University has taught me many lessons, one of the most important being to always put myself out there. At first, I was overwhelmed by the activity on campus, having come from a town of about 1,200 residents and commuting about 30 minutes to attend McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL. NIU was my first opportunity to branch out from my roots, and I immediately applied to the Research Rookies program. Through this program, I explored issues in our healthcare system, focusing on the mental health challenges facing healthcare professionals. After completing the program, I continued to pursue this project alongside my faculty mentor, Dr. Shibata.
I am also an Illinois Area Health Education Centers Scholar, committed to expanding my knowledge to better aid underserved communities in accessing quality healthcare. As a scholar, I engage in both didactic and experiential learning. I am now completing my second year of didactic material in preparation for my AHEC community service learning project, where I will work to better understand communities in need and how to aid them with compassion, care, and advocacy.
I am dedicated to making a lasting impact on others, bringing improvement and positivity to communities. By standing together, we are stronger than we know, and I hope to demonstrate that through my work.