Congratulations, Graduates

CONGRATULATIONS, ROAN GRADUATES!

CASEY DAVIDSON ‘22

NURSING

Highlights: During her first year of college, Casey participated in an Alternative Breaks experience in Scott County, Indiana, learning about health and harm reduction-related topics. This experience led her to co-found and serve as co-president of Students Advocating for Harm Reduction (SAFHR), an ETSU student organization dedicated to reducing negative consequences associated with substance abuse. Casey’s Roan Summer of Service at Jefferson Memorial Hospital inspired her to reexamine her career path and pursue a nursing degree. During college, Casey also worked as a Student Nursing Associate at Fort Sanders Medical Center in Knoxville.

What’s next? Casey is working as a Labor & Delivery Registered Nurse at Fort Sanders Medical Center, with plans to attend graduate school in the near future.

LILY EDWARDS ‘22

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Highlights:

Lily’s Alternative Breaks experience in Chicago helped her discover a passion for helping troubled youth and understanding the criminal justice system; it also led her to complete her Summer of Service at the Upper East Tennessee Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Johnson City, TN. Lily is motivated to act as an advocate for children and vulnerable populations. As an intern for a local marketing agency, she wrote press releases, interviewed shops and restaurants for web articles, and managed several social media pages. Lily also welcomed new students to campus as a POLO leader.

What’s next? Lily plans to pursue a career in public relations or advertising and help companies with their branding and communication strategy.

ADDIE FAIRCHILD ‘22

NURSING

Highlights: Addie graduated in December 2021. She participated in an Alternative Break focused on Health and Harm Reduction in Scott County, Indiana — an experience that led her to co-found and serve as co-president of Students Advocating for Harm Reduction, a student organization dedicated to reducing negative consequences associated with substance abuse. She completed her Roan Summer of Service at Ashe Memorial Hospital interning with Camp Med, a hands-on learning experience for high school students interested in healthcare. She also worked extensively throughout the pandemic at Margate Rehabilitation.

What’s next? Addie is a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC.

Highlights:

Caroline was a highly engaged member and leader of the Gamma Delta chapter of Kappa Delta sorority and ETSU’s Panhellenic Association. She spent her Roan Summer of Service at the Sea Turtle Center in Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica, where she helped create safe environments for endangered sea turtle nests. Caroline also received a Roan Extraordinary Opportunity Grant to intern at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, an opportunity that blended her passion for conservation, nonprofit, and education work. Caroline is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), was named ETSU’s Outstanding Sorority Woman of the Year in 2020, and last year was named a Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Award recipient — Kappa Delta sorority’s highest individual honor for undergraduate students.

What’s next? Caroline began work as a Leadership Development Consultant with the national office of Kappa Delta sorority starting in July 2022.

SHIVAM PATEL ‘22

HEALTH SCIENCES

Highlights:

Shivam completed his Roan Summer of Service with Project Transformation in San Antonio, Texas, serving underprivileged children through literacy improvement and social-emotional development initiatives. Shivam was an active campus leader, serving with the Preview and Orientation Leaders Organization (POLO) and as Student Government Association (SGA) President during his junior year. Shivam received an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship in 2021, conducting a novel research project with his faculty advisor, Dr. Sean Fox, to map the soil microbiome of Appalachia. During Commencement in May 2022, Shivam was inducted into ETSU’s

What’s next? Shivam spent part of his summer in the United Kingdom, studying Arts, Activism, and Social Justice as part of his Fulbright UK Summer Institute award. He will spend a gap year working with AmeriCorps as he applies to medical schools.

CLARA REYNOLDS ‘22

HEALTH SCIENCES

Highlights:

Clara’s joint passion for healthcare and artistic endeavors defined her time at ETSU. She performed as a member of the ETSU Chorale, illustrated a children’s book, crocheted stuffed animals for donation to kids, and received her Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu. She spent her Roan Summer of Service at Branch House, a non-profit family justice center serving victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault and was later recognized as Branch House’s Volunteer of the Year for her efforts. Clara worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with Ballad Heath throughout the pandemic, caring for a variety of patients, including on the frontlines of a COVID unit.

What’s next? Clara began a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Emory & Henry College in May 2022.

NELYA STYNKA ‘23

SOCIAL WORK

Highlights: Nelya completed her Roan Summer of Service at Talisman Camp in Zirconia, North Carolina, where she provided developmental support for individuals with Autism and ADHD. A Roan Extraordinary Opportunity Grant and Gilman Scholarship provided support to Nelya to intern virtually with Dish Foundation and Salma Prahbu’s Institute for Career Counseling in India. She completed her capstone internship at the Jeremiah School in Johnson City, a therapeutic day school for children with neurological delays. Nelya worked throughout college with Families Free, a non-profit that supports women and families affected by substance abuse and incarceration. In that role she performed a variety of activities, including assisting in facilitating groups for incarcerated women. She also served as an Expedition Leader and as president of ETSU’s Student Social Work Association. In spring 2022, Nelya received the 'Jane Addams Excellence in Practice Award' which each year recognizes one student in the Department of Social Work, based on faculty nominations.

What’s next? Nelya will begin work as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant in Buncombe County Schools in Asheville, N.C.

JORDAN TEAGUE ‘22

PHYSICS

Highlights:

Jordan explored her love of science during her Roan Summer of Service with the Johnson City Environmental Field Office for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) where she learned about water quality and safety. Jordan completed multiple undergraduate research experiences, working in Dr. Gregory Ordway’s lab to investigate the cellular consequences of depression and suicide, and exploring the effects of chemotherapy on the brain during a summer internship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Jordan served as vice president and then president of the ETSU Society of Physics Students, where she worked to build community among Physics majors. What’s next? Jordan will begin a Doctoral program in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in fall 2022.

MCKENZIE TEMPLETON ‘22

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Highlights:

During her time at ETSU, McKenzie created ABLE - the university's first all-inclusive disability awareness club. Her love of nonprofits began during her Roan Summer of Service at United Way of Greater Kingsport, where she worked to improve homeless services and volunteered with the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness. McKenzie has a passion for the Appalachian Highlands, which was further solidified when she interned with STREAMWORKS, spearheading the Appalachian Highlands ‘Twenty Under 20’ Awards program for 3 years. She also interned at the ETSU Research Corporation, was a part of a virtual brand strategy team at the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center in Monterey, California, and was an extern for Facebook. During Commencement in May 2022, McKenzie was inducted into ETSU’s 1911 Society, which recognizes the university’s most notable graduates.

What’s next? McKenzie is the Director of Young Professional Development for the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, a new position focused on attracting, supporting, and retaining more young professionals to Johnson City.

“The Roan Program has given me the steppingstones to enter the world as a conscientious citizen that seeks to alleviate suffering and help others live more meaningful lives. As I begin a new path in life, I hold this program close to my heart and cherish the people who are a part of it."