Major: Nursing
Certificate: Nursing Informatics
Hometown: Tarentum, Pennsylvania
Campus involvement: UPMC Nursing Campus Ambassador for UPMC St. Margaret, TOPS Soccer volunteer, Alternative Spring Break (Director of Programming), Lion Ambassadors (Public Relations Committee Chair, President), Welcome Week Guide and Welcome Week Leader, Behrend Benefitting THON (Morale Captain), The National Society of Leadership and Success, Leadership Scholar, Technical Mail Services worker.
Awards and recognitions: Most Outstanding Student Organization Member, Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Award for outstanding involvement, Dean’s List, Completion of the Behrend Honors Program, Leadership Scholarship, Wright Leadership Scholarship.
On choosing Behrend: As soon as I stepped foot on the campus for a tour, I knew that it would be home for the next four years. I absolutely love the historical connection as well as the numerous plants that encompass the arboretum. Behrend also feels like one big family where you can really get to know your professors and faculty who are always there to support you no matter what.
On choosing her major: I chose nursing because I love to serve in my community and am always looking for ways to give back. With nursing, I can improve patients’ lives every day by offering hope to people during challenging times of their life. I aspire to be a nurse to help all populations through their times of need and ultimately make a real difference in their lives for the better.
What you might be surprised to know about her: I was born in Rhode Island and lived there for the first eight years of my life, and I was also a competitive dancer and performed in Las Vegas.
What success means: Success to me means accomplishing my goals and desires in life, like giving back to those who are less fortunate than I am and truly being able to make a difference in people’s lives. It also means taking the path of more resistance where it can really challenge me as an individual to grow.
Her definition of living a good life: Life can be a beautiful journey, a crazy ride, and a big adventure; however, it can also be a constant struggle and a hard teacher. In each moment, we get to choose which side of it to embrace, which ultimately affects our mind, body, and future, as well as the person we become. Living a good life to me is about finding purpose, passion, patience, happiness, and perseverance that encompasses adventures of success and failure to really embrace the bumps in the road and celebrate all the victories on the path of life.
Her passions: One thing that I am extremely passionate about is personal growth like learning a new skill, speaking a new language, resolving conflicts, and actively listening because it creates empowering habits that propel me toward my dreams in life. I think to really ignite your passion, you have to get out of your comfort zone and face uncertainty to learn how to cope with difficult circumstances and confidently face the unknown. I am also very passionate about giving back because it really reminds me how much I have to be grateful for in my life.
Advice for first-year students: My advice is to not be afraid to get involved on campus and step outside of your comfort zone. It is a great way to strengthen your skillset including leadership, teamwork, communication, time management, self-confidence, and prioritization. It can also lead to lifelong friendships and new networking opportunities.
Isabella will be working at UPMC St. Margaret in their operating room alongside the “Steelers’ Surgeon” as well as preparing for work in behavioral health.
As soon as I stepped foot on the campus for a tour, I knew that it would be home for the next four years. I absolutely love the historical connection as well as the numerous plants that encompass the arboretum.
—Isabella Porco