Heather

What does AUP mean to you? 

I started at AUP in January 2020, right before the Covid-19 pandemic put the world on pause. Two weeks after France went into lockdown, I was diagnosed with cancer. If I were at any other university, I would have had to drop out and fly home. But the AUP community rallied around me. I received phone calls from President Schenck; I had a program director accompany me to appointments; AUP's Health Office took care of my insurance concerns; and classmates sent me care packages. It was difficult not having my family nearby, but at such an isolating time in my life, I never once felt alone. I am so grateful to be part of the AUP community – it has really become my family. Telling my professors and classmates that I am officially cancer free was one of my stand-out moments. 

What has been your favorite in-class project? 

In January 2021, I flew to Greece after receiving the Slosberg Travel Grant to conduct research on homelessness and services in Athens. I was able to work with a fantastic NGO, Ithaca Laundry, which provides mobile laundry services to homeless people in Athens. Through this connection, our NGO Financial Management course conducted a live client project for Ithaca Laundry. The class broke into workgroups to analyze the feasibility of the organization moving into housing. It was a ton of work, but the organization was so thankful. I really appreciated that hands-on, real world experience.  

How have your interests evolved while studying at AUP? 

Due to the pandemic and my cancer diagnosis, I became interested in healthcare discrepancies for marginalized populations. I began looking into the cultural and social differences in vaccine hesitancy, government responses to Covid-19 regarding vulnerable populations, and how such populations may be misrepresented in studies. I have come to appreciate and understand social and cultural differences far more than ever before. I want to continue helping support vulnerable populations by advising governments and NGOs on best practices. I have also become a Global Breast Health educator, teaching young adults the importance of early detection of breast cancer. I’m working with AUP’s Health Office to develop a workshop on early detection and provide support to students in similar situations.