While volunteering at an LGBTQ+ camp, Brenna M. had an experience that permanently reshaped her approach to healthcare.

She was looking for volunteer work to add to her master鈥檚 applications when she came across Brave Trails, a national non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership.

鈥淢y time volunteering in the LGBTQ+ community was a turning point,鈥� Brenna said. 鈥淚t changed my views on how I could use my expertise and career to advocate for those who might not have the same privileges I do.鈥�

Providing care to LGBTQ+ youth ignited Brenna鈥檚 unwavering passion and now steers her educational path as a master of physician assistant student at 国产主播-Center for Graduate Studies.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to come into class having that lens and understand where those gaps are and how I can help fill them,鈥� Brenna said.

Brenna’s path into medicine, driven by her lifelong passion for science, initially led her to a year-long stint in a biomedical engineering lab, where she found herself missing the human-to-human interaction that medicine provides.

鈥淚 loved the science from research, but it wasn鈥檛 stimulating my need to interact with people,鈥� Brenna said.

However, a conversation with a friend who worked as a physician assistant revealed that the PA profession perfectly aligned with her desires for both science and connecting with people.

Now two-thirds of the way through her first year at 国产主播, Brenna is enthusiastic about her experience at the Center for Graduate Studies. She said she appreciates the MPA program’s hybrid model, which provides the flexibility to balance work, life, and studies.

鈥淚 think that鈥檚 a huge advantage to this program,鈥� Brenna said.

When asked what advice she would offer to those considering an MPA program, Brenna emphasized the importance of bringing a passion to your studies that extends outside the classroom.

鈥淔igure out what gets you excited and try and bring that lens to PA school because it鈥檚 definitely going to translate at the end,鈥� she said.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.