Destination: SUCCESS. Starting Point: YOU.
99% of HPU graduates are employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduating. HPU is committed to preparing students with the tools and experience that outlast inevitable technological changes. In this series, HPU takes a deep dive into some of the students that make up that 99%.
Below, you’ll find videos of student success stories for the Wanek School of Natural Sciences. These are just a glimpse of the many HPU students who have gone on to lead lives of success and significance. Each story is different, but the theme is similar: HPU students graduate ready to take on the world as it is going to be!
From HPU to Medical School
Emerson Heckler knew that High Point University would give her the real-world experience she needed to thrive in medical school.
She achieved her academic goals and grew as a leader thanks to a supportive university with caring mentors and like-minded students. There was always some way to learn and engage on campus – whether a community project with her co-ed service fraternity or a meeting with the Natural Science Fellows.
She's well on her way to becoming a doctor. After graduating from HPU with a neuroscience degree, she earned a full scholarship to medical school, where she is now in her second year.
She achieved her academic goals and grew as a leader thanks to a supportive university with caring mentors and like-minded students. There was always some way to learn and engage on campus – whether a community project with her co-ed service fraternity or a meeting with the Natural Science Fellows.
She's well on her way to becoming a doctor. After graduating from HPU with a neuroscience degree, she earned a full scholarship to medical school, where she is now in her second year.
Dreams to be a Doctor
It’s no easy feat to land an internship at the National Cancer Institute after your first year of college. But Kordell did. Kordell spent three summers with the National Cancer Institute working to beat the disease that took someone she loved.
Kordell found her spark at HPU, assisting with research outside class and winning awards for her work on the protein osteocalcin.
The experience she gained from her classes and mentorship helped her secure the NCI internship for two additional summers. She went on to pursue an M.D. at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.
She began her career in family medicine in Colorado, and she recently became a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow in Utah. See more of her story here!
Kordell found her spark at HPU, assisting with research outside class and winning awards for her work on the protein osteocalcin.
The experience she gained from her classes and mentorship helped her secure the NCI internship for two additional summers. She went on to pursue an M.D. at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.
She began her career in family medicine in Colorado, and she recently became a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow in Utah. See more of her story here!
Lab-Grown Confidence
A biology senior from Cleveland, whose first name means beautiful in Greek, Telzrow credits HPU – and her mom – for giving her confidence way beyond the lab.
Telzrow’s mom has Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves. As a result, Telzrow discovered her love for science, but she knew she didn’t want to go into medicine. She wanted another science-related field that would help her mom – and other people like her mom.
After completing various research projects and presenting at conferences in her undergraduate career, Telzrow had her pick of graduate programs. She attended Duke University’s Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Ph.D. program. After earning her Ph.D., Telzrow now works as a senior proposal specialist at PPD, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Watch her video to hear more of her amazing story!
Telzrow’s mom has Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves. As a result, Telzrow discovered her love for science, but she knew she didn’t want to go into medicine. She wanted another science-related field that would help her mom – and other people like her mom.
After completing various research projects and presenting at conferences in her undergraduate career, Telzrow had her pick of graduate programs. She attended Duke University’s Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Ph.D. program. After earning her Ph.D., Telzrow now works as a senior proposal specialist at PPD, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Watch her video to hear more of her amazing story!
Building Blocks of Medicine
You wouldn’t know it now, but when she came to HPU Dr. Jennifer Silk was a quiet and shy young woman that was not comfortable speaking publicly. Today, she often returns to campus to speak on alumni panels and answer questions about her career trajectory to current and prospective students and families. Mentorship and research played a big role in Silk’s development, and she has the pay-it-forward attitude to help others reach their goals the way she did. As she says:
“HPU gave me the ‘bricks’ to help me build my foundation for a future career in medicine.”
“HPU gave me the ‘bricks’ to help me build my foundation for a future career in medicine.”
The Seattle Attorney
Nikki Sanford never questioned her love for science. After all, she double majored in physics and math at HPU. But there was one question ever-present in her mind: “Which career path should I choose?”
Her HPU professors helped. Together, they considered each option and worked through the stress of defining her future. An internship on Capitol Hill helped, too. John Mather, Nobel Prize laureate and physicist, funded the opportunity for Sanford to intern with the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She networked with political and scientific leaders, attended congressional hearings and conducted research, just like she had on HPU’s campus.
A lightbulb turned on for Sanford during that time and illuminated a new question: “Why not go to law school?”
Today, Sanford is a patent attorney in Seattle, Washington. She’s built a career that combines her love of math and science at BakerHostetler, a national firm. She has four degrees – two from HPU in math and physics, a law degree from William and Mary Law School, and a master’s in biomedical engineering from Columbia University. Learn more about her inspiring story!
Her HPU professors helped. Together, they considered each option and worked through the stress of defining her future. An internship on Capitol Hill helped, too. John Mather, Nobel Prize laureate and physicist, funded the opportunity for Sanford to intern with the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She networked with political and scientific leaders, attended congressional hearings and conducted research, just like she had on HPU’s campus.
A lightbulb turned on for Sanford during that time and illuminated a new question: “Why not go to law school?”
Today, Sanford is a patent attorney in Seattle, Washington. She’s built a career that combines her love of math and science at BakerHostetler, a national firm. She has four degrees – two from HPU in math and physics, a law degree from William and Mary Law School, and a master’s in biomedical engineering from Columbia University. Learn more about her inspiring story!
A Life of Success and Significance
Mary Funke is a 2013 High Point University graduate who majored in chemistry with a pre-med track. She received the kind of one-on-one mentorship, research and experiential learning opportunities that made her a prime candidate for medical school. Before all of that, she was a high school kid from Ohio looking for a campus where she could transform into the best version of herself. She found High Point University.
Funke went on to complete medical school at Creighton University, and what she does know is that her work as an emergency medicine resident medical doctor helps families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. HPU prepared her for that.
“In emergency medicine, 70% of my time is dedicated to communicating with all different types of patients and doctors. I have to convey my thoughts and my treatment strategy in a clear way. I have to ask the right questions to figure out what’s going on with my patients. I have to collaborate with people who are different than me.”
Funke went on to complete medical school at Creighton University, and what she does know is that her work as an emergency medicine resident medical doctor helps families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. HPU prepared her for that.
“In emergency medicine, 70% of my time is dedicated to communicating with all different types of patients and doctors. I have to convey my thoughts and my treatment strategy in a clear way. I have to ask the right questions to figure out what’s going on with my patients. I have to collaborate with people who are different than me.”
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