I’m Kendal Doyle, and I’m currently enrolled in a two-and-two nursing program. I chose Ohio Dominican because I knew I wanted to move away from my hometown for college. I was looking for a new city experience, but didn’t want to be lost in a crowd at a larger school. Here at ODU, the class sizes are more manageable, which is ideal for me because I prefer more one-on-one interactions for better learning.

During my freshman year, I was pretty lost, and the transition to a new city like Columbus was tough. Luckily, I had Professor Kristall Day who was always there for me. She met with me once a week just to check in on how I was doing. She really helped me stay afloat during that challenging time. Even after my classes with her ended, she continued to check in on me, which was really sweet.

I’ve been fortunate to receive several scholarships, including the highest merit scholarship offered by ODU. I was also selected for a unique scholarship donated by a family—I couldn’t believe it when I found out! Receiving these scholarships and this support has been incredible, and it’s really helped me financially.

I chose to study nursing as my career because my best friend growing up had a severe health condition that required multiple surgeries. Seeing the impact that her favorite nurses had on her as they provided care made me realize I wanted to be that person for someone else. I want to provide comfort and care during a patient’s toughest times.

Another one of the most influential people in my journey here at ODU has been my advisor, Dr. Annie Witzky. She’s always checking in on me and making sure I’m okay. Her support and guidance have been invaluable to me.