“My greatest ambition during my time at Florida State is to be able to give back to the Seminole community as much as it has given to me.”
Ellyn says that she knew FSU was the place for her from the moment she stepped onto campus. “Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. From the students I talked with, to the professors, advisors and staff, I felt as though everyone truly wanted me to succeed.” She says that FSU offered her a sense of pride when she realized that she would be part of the rich history and traditions of the university.
Ellyn has represented FSU well in the classroom, as well as, throughout the country. In 2008, she was recognized as the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Award recipient. During Summer 2009, she spent time in Arlington, Virginia as an intern with the American Society of Transplant Surgeons through The Washington Center. From there, she brought the knowledge gained through that experience to work with Dr. Ralston at the Center for Better Health and Life for Underserved Populations. “At the BHL Center, I have worked closely with faculty and graduate students, in and out of my chosen field. This experience has allowed me to combine my different interests and prepare for graduate school and my career.”
Ellyn took her passion for high academic achievement by working with others to be a founding member of the Honors Delegate organization, where she served as the Vice President. She also has been very involved in the Honors Student Association which is open to all current Florida State honors students and whose mission aims to promote intellectual growth, social development, and the unification of the University community by providing Honors students opportunities for academic, social, and service involvement. “Through the Honors Student Association, with my peers, I not only aim to establish a greater sense of community among Honors students, but also aim to encourage students to strive for their greatest.” She is also a member of several honor societies at FSU, including Omicron Delta Kappa.
Ellyn has also represented the University proudly to future ‘Noles as a University Ambassador, and to others as she served in West Virginia as a member of Alternative Break Corps. Through ABC, Ellyn has served as a site leader for a weekend trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. Ellyn will also serve as a site leader in Cuernavaca, Mexico during this spring. “ABC allows students who might not meet otherwise to come together for a common purpose. It gives students a chance to challenge themselves by stepping outside their comfort zones. You not only learn more about yourself and teammates but also about others across the country and world.”
“My greatest ambition during my time at Florida State is to be able to give back to the Seminole community as much as it has given to me. I have felt at home here in Tallahassee and hope that by serving as a University Ambassador, I am sharing Seminole pride and spirit with prospective students, and showing them all that FSU has to offer.”
After graduating in Spring 2010, Ellyn plans to attend graduate school for Public Health. “Health has often been overlooked in the past, but it is as important an issue today as it always has been. As a society, we face many health problems that could be avoided if we learn to take advantage of all the resources available.”