Allison Horton is a UNT biology major with a minor in chemistry and public health who is preparing to graduate this May. She recently gave to Students Helping Students, a scholarship fund that allows graduating seniors to honor their time at UNT by giving back to those following in their footsteps. For Allison, it's very personal when it comes to contributing to the futures of fellow math and science students at UNT.

"Upon high school graduation, I received a scholarship from a UNT alumni," she remembers. "In his award letter, he told me he was paying forward a gift his aunt had sent him when he was a student here. He requested, if and when I could, to pay forward the gift he had given to me. The Students Helping Students campaign is a way for me to begin paying forward that generous gift."

When deciding where to go to college, Allison said she chose the University of North Texas because the campus felt like home.

"Now, having been at UNT for three years, I recognize that the 'home' feeling came from the caring faculty and staff," she said. "I truly believe that all my professors have cared about my education and success in and out of their classrooms."

Allison, who is also in our pre-med program, said she is especially grateful for her advisor Todd Lang, who walked her through the prerequisite classes, entrance exams, and applications that would help her achieve her academic goals.

"From my first email inquiry at sixteen to now being accepted into medical school, Todd has been there to answer any question and guide me down the road of applying to medical school," she said.

"Allison is one of the most determined pre-medical students I have worked with," said Todd, who is also the Assistant Dean of Health Professions in the College of Science. "Throughout her time at UNT, she has remained focused on her dream of becoming a physician, and she has now overcome one of the greatest challenges she will face along the way: being admitted to medical school. I am very proud of Allison and what she has accomplished. She is a perfect fit for a career in medicine."

As one of many students who had to adjust to navigating university life at the height of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, Allison persevered with an "I can do this" attitude.

"One of the most important things I have learned at UNT is that you cannot always change the situation you are in, but you can change your outlook on the situation," she said. "Mindset determines happiness, your situation does not."

Allison is looking forward to graduating this semester more confident in her intelligence and abilities. The next step in her journey will take her to medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe, Louisiana.

The Students Helping Students Scholarship is funded by graduating seniors like Allison to commemorate their graduation year and help incoming students who are following in their footsteps. You can learn more and give to the campaign at: https://cos.unt.edu/shs