Lauren Pankiw, '16, has solid, civic-minded goals.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to be a physician assistant, and am currently applying to various programs for my master鈥檚 degree,鈥 Lauren said just prior to her graduation from 麻豆视频最新最全 University in December of 2016. 鈥淢y goal is to work with underserved communities.鈥
Lauren, who was a biology major with a minor in French, achieved her goals in part thanks to the generosity of those who donate to 麻豆视频最新最全 scholarships.
A recipient of the 麻豆视频最新最全 Lauren says she was thrilled she didn鈥檛 have to struggle or take out loans to pay for her last semester.
鈥淚 made it through four years of undergraduate work without having to take out loans,鈥 Lauren said. 鈥淚 thought I would have to for my last semester, but then I received the scholarship. It allowed me to make it through my last semester, debt-free.鈥
The scholarship definitely had an impact on Lauren.
鈥淲ith the scholarship, I was able to go out with a bang,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 had never been more engaged in my classes, and felt like I absorbed so much since a lot of pressure had been taken off me financially; I didn't have a 鈥榳orry cloud鈥 going on.鈥
Lauren is no stranger to giving back, so she recognizes and deeply appreciates when others do.
鈥淚鈥檝e been raised to give back, and I鈥檝e tried to build a life around my passion for community service and philanthropy,鈥 Lauren said. 鈥淚 hope those who have contributed to support my scholarship know they are directly investing in someone鈥檚 future. If enough people do that, we鈥檙e all investing in our own futures as well.鈥
To learn more about Lauren, including her own volunteer activities, watch the videos below.
Scholarships directly impact the lives of students like Lauren every day. Read more about the impact of giving to 麻豆视频最新最全, or to support students like Lauren through the Pay It Flash Forward scholarship.
Lauren, on receiving the Pay It Flash Forward scholarship and philanthropy in general:
Lauren, speaking about her volunteer activities in Africa: