Meet Rebecca "Becky" Popiel, who is graduating in December 2021 with a BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from the University of North Texas. Becky has already applied to graduate school and hopes to continue her education and learn the skills she needs to become a successful healthcare provider.
"I want to work in underserved areas that are in need of Spanish speaking providers to help bridge the gap between Spanish speaking patients and their providers," said Becky. "Whether it's working in the emergency room or in family medicine, I want to give back to my community by taking care of their health and showing them that someone who looks like them made it and came back to help."
Out of her love for helping others, Becky recently participated in the College of Science's Students Helping Students campaign, which allows graduating seniors to receive a philanthropy graduation cord by making a donation of $20.21 to a fund that will help fellow students following in their footsteps.
"I grew up not having much and know what it's like to struggle as a college student with multiple jobs or taking out loans. So as someone who now has the ability and the means to give back, I do it as often as I can," said Becky. "I love to help my fellow students any way I can because no one should have to choose between a higher education or surviving. With the small contributions I can make, I am reaching back to those coming after and letting them know they're not alone. We are all heading towards the same goal and should do so together helping each other out and building each other up."
To Becky, UNT feels like home. During her time here, she joined several organizations including Alpha Phi Omega, UNT Pre-PA Club, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Professional Honor Society, and the Hispanic Student Association. With Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity that gives back to the community, she served as the leadership Vice President.
"I was able to create opportunities for fellow members to grow their leadership skills as college students and beyond," she said. "I hosted workshops that included interviewing skills, resume building and overall leadership tips from proven leaders. I feel like being a part of on campus activities helped me develop as a student and as a human being. It is important to get involved."
Becky chose UNT because of the outstanding support the staff and faculty provide to pre-health students, and she is grateful for the advisors and professors who helped her along the way. She said she also loved the beautiful campus and inclusive environment. The most challenging part of her time here was at the beginning of the pandemic, when classes had to shift to online learning and everyone had to adjust accordingly. But Becky remained positive and persevered, and now she is proudly part of the graduating class of 2021 walking the UNT commencement stage this fall.
"As a non-traditional student, I have waited for this day since I graduated high school as a sixteen year old back in 2004. After dropping out of my first university in 2006, I felt deflated. When I returned to school after working in healthcare for years and it came to choosing a university, UNT was the obvious choice," she said. "During my time here, UNT has been an educational system that truly supported me not just as a student but as a human being, allowing me to flourish and grow with each triumph and each setback that I was ultimately able to overcome."