��������

Built-In Support Through Roommates

What started as a housing scramble quickly became a support system that keeps Kelly T. and Maxlyn S. grounded through the intensity of the Master of Physician Assistant program. The two ��������-Texas MPA students, who met through a GroupMe spreadsheet before ever stepping on campus, now share not only an apartment but also study sessions, clinical goals, and even matching sweatshirts.

“I wouldn’t change anything at all,” Kelly said. “It really… motivates me to get stuff done.”

Maxlyn agreed the arrangement made the hard days lighter.

“It has been really nice to be able to go home and know that I’m living with people who know what I’m going through,” she said.

Why They Chose the PA Path

Maxlyn said she always wanted to be in healthcare and discovered the PA role after a patient told her she was “their sunshine” on the worst day of their life — an encounter that stuck with her.

“I just fell in love with the PA program because you can really spend a lot of time with your patients,” she said.

Kelly once planned on medical school before shadowing in an emergency trauma bay. “I saw a PA… put in a chest tube,” she said. “I didn’t know that PAs could do that… I researched more and was like wait that’s so cool.”

Campus Culture and Community at WCU Texas

Both said word-of-mouth and an on-campus visit sealed their decisions. “I remember walking in and meeting all these people and just feeling… at home,” Maxlyn said. Kelly echoed that the program’s culture starts with people like Taylor Allen in admissions. “She was just a light,” she said.

The two also praised the cohort’s diversity of experience and small-class feel. “Everyone has so many different experiences… everyone has their own niche,” Kelly said.

Career Goals After Graduation

Kelly said she hoped to practice in a small town and give back to an underserved community, possibly in ER or family medicine. Maxlyn, who minored in nutrition, said she wanted to elevate nutritional literacy among patients and peers. Both lit up talking about PA Week, clinical match day, and representing WCU at competitions.

“At the end of the day… if you really want to be here and you have the work ethic and the determination to get there you will,” Kelly said.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.