Major: Nursing
Minors: Psychological Science and Sociology
Certificates: Child Development, Global Awareness, and Trauma Studies
Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Irvin Kochel Leadership Scholarship, Barbara F. Junker Trustee Scholarship, Kochel International Scholarship for studying abroad.
Why she chose Behrend: I came to the campus and fell in love. I also wanted to play basketball, so that was a contributing factor. Though I didn’t play long, I loved Behrend, and the staff made me feel so welcome and supported.
Why she chose her major: Growing up, I was exposed to THON and the message of raising money for kids and families suffering from pediatric cancer. I was inspired and wanted to be that pillar of hope and support for people and make a difference in their lives.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Becoming a dancer at THON. This has been an aspiration and something I've wanted to do since I was a child. Behrend gave me that opportunity! I worked toward this goal for a few years and have served as Executive Director of Behrend’s THON Club.
Campus involvement: Behrend Benefitting THON, Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, Active Minds, Theta Phi Alpha, Behrend Panhellenic Council.
Study abroad in Italy: I studied abroad, which is unique for a nursing major. I moved to Florence, Italy, for two and a half months and I was immersed in the culture and traveled around Europe. I got to meet so many different people and fell in love with the environment. What made this experience even more unique is that I went on scholarship, thanks to Behrend. I really wanted to study abroad but did not know how I was going to afford it. Staff members helped me find a scholarship that helped me tremendously. This left me with a little money to spend and do educational activities. I became great friends with the owners of a local restaurant, who made me feel like an extension of their family. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.
Her highest priority: To build a life that I'm happy and proud of. I want to become the person I've always wanted to be. I want to grow in friendships, relationships, and myself to become the best version of myself. Coming to Behrend, I was very unsure in my skin, and in the past two years I've grown and developed confidence in myself, and I have Behrend and the people I met along the way to thank for that.
Focus on the good: Your attitude dictates what you get out of life. There's so much more to college than learning and complaining.
Advice for first-year students: Find yourself throughout your time here. I am not friends with the same people I was in my first year, and if I told my first-year self where I am today, I believe that she would be baffled. When you leave college, you are not meant to be the same person you are when you started.
Mya will work as a nurse at UPMC Shadyside Oncology at UPMC Shadyside Oncology.