“I chose Morningside because I had already previously come here for Catalyst Collective camp. My sisters and I were in the camp and when I came here, it felt more like home than other college campuses.

I am double majoring in biology and chemistry and minoring in psychology. I am involved with the bowling team, Connie Wimer Women’s Leadership, Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), and I’m a Student Ambassador. I try to promote other student groups as much as possible.

Morningside has prepared me for the outside world and not just through classes like anatomy that I know I will use in medical school. Connie Wimer teaches me leadership; in ODK I’m learning more about responsibility, how to take charge in a group, and ways to reach out to other people; as a Student Ambassador I’m learning how to greet new people and share what I love Morningside in a way that can help inform their college decision. The main thing that’s really going to help me in my future is those social skills that I’ve learned here that I’m able to carry on.

I do want to go to medical school or do research in that field. Being able to help kids like me who are in college and in a lot of activities, and trying to help lessen the stress through something like a health pop up is something I want to do.”

• Rachel Spier, a senior future med student helping to shake stigmas around mental health and wellness