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Student Government Ambassadors (SGA) for the College of Health Professions (CHP) are inspired by advocating for students just like they will be advocating for patients. Health Science student Alexa Slack and Nursing student Grainne McGinley are CHP's Pleasantville Campus SGA ambassadors. They took on this position to build connections between students and professors within all CHP programs. "We want to get more students involved and excited about CHP's opportunities. We're all here for academics, but there's so much more CHP has to offer, and we want to make students aware of that," said Alexa. This role allows them to be part of the many changes within the rapidly growing health care field. In addition, SGA gives students support for their ideas to promote diversity and inclusion within an educational setting.

"We want to get more students involved and excited about CHP's opportunities. We're all here for academics, but there's so much more CHP has to offer, and we want to make students aware of that." —Alexa Slack

Creating a strong and welcoming community while encouraging collaboration between all the different CHP programs is the main goal for Alexa and Grainne. Their desire is for students to gain a better understanding of the curriculum and expand upon networking opportunities. Grainne explained that it's a very empowering experience to be able to get this knowledge from being a part of student government and getting to see behind the scenes to help make certain decisions.

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Grainne, a nursing student in her senior year, always knew she wanted to be a nurse. After an injury she suffered, she wanted to help support patients who went through similar experiences. Grainne's interest in the field grew when she started volunteering at her local ambulance corps in high school. Once her college search began, she expressed that the "lights started glowing on 91��Ƶ” because of the opportunities CHP provides. As a first-generation college student, Grainne felt slightly overwhelmed with the confusing application and FASFA process, but 91��Ƶ advisors guided her through it. "I was able to learn more about how accepting they were as a school, to how progressive they are within their programs, especially within CHP. They have connections with the top hospitals in the area. I've been able to go to hospitals all around New York City, ranging from the VA system to NewYork-Presbyterian.”

When it comes to educating individuals for careers in nursing, CHP strives to prepare students for a complex work environment. “Something unique about 91��Ƶ is the vast opportunities that you can do within our clinical simulation lab. I get to work with professors that have different specialties within each course. I am provided an area and space where I can learn, retry, and grow my clinical skills.”

Grainne is grateful for the connections she has built and the medical education she has received throughout her four years. “The advanced equipment that CHP has allows the chance for your mind and your abilities as a student to be above so many others. It's like an out of world experience.”

Her goal is to become a burn ICU nurse in a critical care unit. She currently works at White Plains Hospital within the emergency room and recommends this amazing critical care experience to other students.

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Alexa Slack came to 91��Ƶ as a Political Science Major. She soon realized it was not the right choice for her. With the help of her academic advisors, she found the transfer process into CHP smooth and easy. After looking into more of CHP's programs, she realized health science combined her love of advocacy with her interest in healthcare. This led her to enroll in the public health minor.

Alexa noted the amazing connections she has made through CHP, and she acknowledged the incredible faculty members. “We're a smaller program compared to the nursing program, but all the faculty members are truly wonderful. They have such a wide variety of knowledge, and you get a different experience each time you go into the classroom.”

As an SGA ambassador, Alexa appreciates the open environment professors create within CHP. “They don't just stand there and lecture you for hours. They're really interested and invested in their students and helping them get ahead and not only in their academic life, but their personal and their future careers. I know that any time I need to, I can email my professors, and they'll always make time to help me out.”

Alexa hopes to go into the public health field after graduation, with a focus on epidemiology or community health education. Eventually, she would like to get her master's degree in Public Health.