Dixie State University Student Discovers the Path to PA School

By Kaylee Cluff

Photo Credit: Lacey Alexander.

College isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey; non-traditional college students are increasingly making waves in the university space. For Kelcie Petty, a biology major on her way to the University of Utah’s Physician Assistant Program, her college path came with unexpected turns.

“I actually started college right after high school graduation but failed out my first year due to immaturity and lack of direction,” shared Petty. She began waitressing, then deciding she wanted something more, enrolled in a year-long program to become a medical assistant in dermatology.

“I took the medical assisting program route because I didn’t think I would be able to go back to college. I failed college, but I fell in love with the program. I thrived, soaked it all up, and was top of my class,” Petty said.

After witnessing a co-worker go through the process of filling out applications for physician assistant school, Petty felt inspired to do the same, but fear held her back. “I pushed it off, but after I had my son, I started re-evaluating what I was doing,” she said. “What kind of mom did I want to be? What do I want to model for my kids?”

Petty’s new mom status gave her the courage to talk to Dixie State University (DSU) advisors to find out if any of her past courses could be retaken. With the help of DSU’s academic renewal program, Petty was able to fix some of her bad grades and move toward PA school.

For the new mother, going back to school came with difficulties, but Petty was determined. “My first semester back I had a three-monthold baby and got a 4.0 grade point average,” she said. “Ever since then, I have been in school full time, never really taking a semester off.”

Since starting on the path to PA school, Petty has become involved with Utah Health Scholars (UHS), which prepares students for admission to healthcare programs. She was also president of Dixie State University’s Physician Assistant Club. “Kelcie has a lot she should be proud of,” shared UHS Program Coordinator Kayla Dent. “She is such a good person and is a great peer mentor to the other physician assistant students. She has a lot to offer.”

UHS is passionate about getting students into healthcare programs and offers application assistance, test and interview preparation, service opportunities, cultural immersion trips, and much more.

Petty credits her involvement with UHS, their support staff, and her amazing husband for helping her get to where she is today. “You need a good support system,” she explained. “You have to have people who are cheering you on, want you to succeed, and are willing to make sacrifices to help.

“I am a little nervous but I feel prepared,” said Petty, who starts her PA program a week after her graduation in May. “Everything has led me to this, so I am ready.”

About the Author

After graduating with her associate degree from Mesa Community College, Arizona native Kaylee Cluff transferred to Dixie State University. Now, as a Junior at DSU, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Kaylee is enjoying her time here in Southern Utah getting familiar with the new location and is looking forward to exploring everything the community has to offer.

Kaylee Cluff