May ATSU-KCOM and ATSU-MOSDOH student ambassador spotlight
Posted: May 28, 2021
Each month, A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Admissions Office in Kirksville, Missouri, will select student ambassadors to recognize and showcase. Student ambassadors are second-year students who speak and meet with prospective ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) students.
ATSU-KCOM Student Ambassador Spotlight: Bethany Travis
Bethany Travis, OMS II, completed a bachelor’s degree in biology from Truman State University.
She is originally from the Kansas City area and loves playing guitar, cooking, hiking, and practicing osteopathic manipulative medicine. She is a weekend volunteer at Hope’s Kitchen, and was an avid intramural soccer player (pre-COVID).
“Right now, I just want to be a doctor,” Travis said. “As I am exposed to various types of medicine through ATSU, I am starting to narrow down the specialties I’m interested in. Regardless, I hope to be empathetic and caring and ATSU is challenging me to grow into exactly that kind of physician.”
Travis received guidance and help from student ambassadors while she was applying to medical school, and joined the program to be able to do the same for others.
“I wanted to lend what support I could to those going through the process after me,” she said, “and that’s the best part about being a student ambassador, sharing my perspective and experience with prospective students.”
Congratulations, Bethany Travis, for being our ATSU-KCOM Student Ambassador spotlight!
ATSU-MOSDOH Student Ambassador Spotlight: Rhiannon Pyle
Rhiannon Pyle, D2, is from Goreville, Illinois, and completed her bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University. She then completed a master’s of science degree at Southern Illinois University.
Pyle enjoys volleyball and taking her ridiculously cute golden retriever on walks. She currently serves as the student representative for the ATSU Curriculum Committee and is an active member in the American Student Dental Association and American Dental Education Association.
“I hope to return back to the rural part of southern Illinois where I am from and practice dentistry alongside my family dentist,” Pyle said. “I plan to give back to my community and participate in dental mission trips around the world someday. ATSU teaches you how to be a professional provider but also how to help your community through service.”
Pyle enjoys serving in a mentoring role through the student ambassador program.
“I chose to be a student ambassador because I enjoy offering encouragement and advice to pre-dental students in their journeys to getting into dental school,” she said. “I really enjoyed hearing the students’ stories, including success and failures and how they became the applicant they are today. It is always inspiring to hear about people’s determination in reaching their dreams.”
Congratulations, Rhiannon Pyle, for being our ATSU-MOSDOH Student Ambassador spotlight!