Name: Amber Smith

Class: Sophomore

Major: Biology with a concentration in microbiology/cell biology

Minor: Chemistry

Hometown: Monroe, North Carolina

Clubs & Organizations: Treasurer of Beta Beta Beta, Vice President of RHA, Chief Justice for the Student Community Court, Resident Advisor, Health Occupations Society, SGA

Favorite thing about MU: the professors

Best moment at MU: I earned over a 4.0 GPA my very first semester.

Favorite thing to do in Fayetteville: ice skating

Internships, independent study or other interesting academic endeavors you’ve done while at MU: I was chosen to participate in a biochemistry research project at NC State University working with a strain of plant virus called the Geminivirus this past summer

Career aspirations: I want to work for a pharmaceutical company, and one day to eventually work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Something about yourself that people would be surprised to know: I’m a blonde naturally, but I dye my hair dark brown.

Favorite movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite TV show: Law and Order

Favorite book: A Prayer for Owen Meany

Favorite color: GREEN

Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? mountains

I wanted to be sure I went to a school where I felt really comfortable. I was interested in becoming a physician’s assistant. I had applied to a few schools. Dr. (Lori) Brookman, from the biology department, actually called me on the phone and wowed me. I really liked her.

We visited the campus in the winter and I actually got to sit in on one of Dr. Brookman’s classes. After her class, she talked with me and my family for like an hour. She told me a lot about the program. She told me that if this is where I wanted to go, she’d be my advisor. That made me feel like I would be in good hands. And I have been.

I think the campus visit is really important. Getting to see people in class was important. I knew I wanted the environment Methodist offered. I knew I wanted to know my professors. I knew the faculty and staff would help me succeed. I think you can’t understand a school until you see it for yourself. And the community at Methodist University is worth the trip.