Hometown: Mahwah, New Jersey

“My dream is to open a health clinic in an underserved community in Latin America,” says Jessica Minor, a University Scholar in medicine from Mahwah, New Jersey, and a member of the Emergency Support Team. “After my undergraduate studies, I will be attending medical school and earning a master’s degree in public health.” As a freshman, Jessica shadowed her mentor, Dr. Joan Downey, an associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University’s School of Medicine, during clinical rotations at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She particularly looks forward to doing clinical research next year.

Jessica, who will likely major in international studies, says, “One of the greatest benefits of the University Scholars Program is the connection between the scholars. We are all strong science students, yet we each have unique interest and talents that lay the foundation for incredible discussions and study sessions. The program has high expectations for the scholars, but we understand how to put things into perspective and appreciate our college experience.”