Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Residence: Warner Robins.

High School: “I attended Eielson Jr./Sr. High School at Eielson AFB, Alaska, for my freshman year, where I was part of Junior National Honor Society (secretary), and was a sprinter in track and field. The rest of my high school experience was spent at Houston County High School, where I was a member of the National Honor Society and for a short time ran track.”

Family: “My large family consists of my mother, Ok son Elliott; father, James Greg Elliott; my older sister, Christine; my younger sister, Julia,; my two younger bothers, James and Alex; and my little puppy dog, Daisy. :-)”

Employment: “I currently work as a student assistant for the School of Information Technology at Macon State. I am truly blessed to have this job and I truly enjoy working with such friendly staff and professors.”

Degree Objective: Bachelor of science in biology (pre-med).

Class Rank: Junior.

Activities: Macon State ambassadors; International Students and Studies Association (secretary); Natural Sciences Network; volunteer at the Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins.

Career Goals: “I know that I want to work in the medical field. Helping people has always been something I was more than willing to do and, in fact, love doing. I also love children, so I am hoping to get a chance to work with them as possibly a PA (physician’s assistant) someday. With my experience of volunteering at the hospital, I have come to be interested in that field and I hope to shadow a PA in the near future to get a better insight of the position.”

She chose Macon State College because … “It was close to home and had a very good four-year biology program that caught my interest. My sister, who is two years older than me, was already attending Macon State and it was another plus for me to have her to help me in my first experience of college life. Macon State is affordable, has a beautiful campus, promises a rich education, and allows me to live at home and save money at the same time. Choosing Macon State was a win-win deal!”

The one thing that surprised her about Macon State was … “The endless opportunities, activities, and clubs available to students that allow anyone to get involved, not only at the college, but in the community. I love being able to join a club where I can enjoy learning more about topics that interest me and exploring those topics in our community. It is also a wonderful feeling to be able to give back to our community by performing community service through the college's clubs. This not only makes yourself shine, but the college as well.”

Her favorite professor is … “Hmmm, this is a hard one, but I'd have to say Dr. Nai-Chaung Yang. He is an amazing professor who helped me survive through general and organic chemistry. He really gives his best efforts for you, whether it is making such a complex subject easier to grasp, or giving you a funny joke to laugh about all day. Everytime I see Dr. Yang in the hallways, I am reminded of our common love of kimchi and Korean food. Dr. Yang is not only my chemistry professor, he is my friend and I am truly blessed to have had him as an instructor.”

Her favorite place to study is … “On the floor in my room with all of my study material sprawled in front of me - in my own sense of organization, of course. I have a perfectly fine desk to sit at but I just find it more comfortable and easier to focus on the floor.”

One thing people don't know about her is … “According to all who know me, I am easy to read and understand, but one thing they don’t know is that I often talk and laugh in my sleep.”

Her friends make fun of her because … “Oh, my, where to begin? They make fun of me because gravity doesn't like me. I am accident prone.”

The one person she’s most like to meet is … “My uncle on my mother's side. He died when my mom was in high school, but she tells me stories of him and he seems like such a smart, determined, sweet, and respectable young man. He really helped guide my mom in her life, and I wish I could have had the opportunity to know and love him.”

Five years from now she sees herself … “Maybe just graduating from a PA program and with a job, and possibly engaged or married and with a cozy apartment filled with medical books and the comfort of my future cat. I hope I am in the position to touch and help as many lives as I can and finding pure joy in having the ability to do so.”