Growing up, I was surrounded by the powerful influence of two men whose lives exemplified the traits I strive to embody every day: my grandfather, who served on the 39th parallel during the Korean War, and my uncle, who has dedicated decades of his life to law enforcement. Their unwavering commitment to service, resilience, and leadership has shaped my character and inspired my pursuit of higher education. Leadership, to me, is not necessarily commanding authority, but about inspiring others to achieve a common goal. I believe that effective communication is at the heart of strong leadership. I have honed these skills through my volunteer work. I have learned to listen actively, articulate ideas clearly, and prioritize collaboration. By creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, I lead with empathy and ensure that efforts become meaningful achievements. Resilience is a quality I have developed through both personal and academic challenges. Just as my grandfather demonstrated resilience during the Korean War, I have learned to face adversity with determination. He inspired me to view obstacles as opportunities for growth, and this mindset has allowed me to persevere and excel, even in the face of setbacks. This is displayed through working while achieving a degree. The selflessness I witnessed in my uncle’s dedication to law enforcement has deeply influenced my approach to life. I strive to be a supportive and compassionate presence in the lives of others, whether volunteering in community service projects or simply being there for a friend in need. I believe that true leadership involves putting the needs of others before your own, and I make it a priority to contribute positively to those around me, ensuring that my actions uplift and benefit the greater community. My focus and determination are driven by a clear sense of purpose. I am passionate about pursuing a position as a Health Administrator through a degree in Health Sciences at the University of South Florida, knowing that it will equip me with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in tackling challenges in healthcare related policies. My academic journey has been fueled by a desire to honor my family’s legacy of service and to build a future where I can contribute to the well-being of others. I am determined to succeed, and I approach every task with the dedication and perseverance required to achieve my goals. A strong work ethic is the foundation of everything I do. Whether it’s my commitment to academic excellence, my responsibilities at work, or my involvement in extracurricular activities, I take pride in giving my best effort. I believe that success is earned through hard work and integrity, values instilled in me by my father and grandfather. Their example has taught me that true achievement is not just about reaching goals but about the effort and dedication put into the journey. My goal is to use my education to make a positive difference in the world, specifically in healthcare initiatives, by making sure under-represented people have access to quality care. Inspired by my family’s legacy, I aim to lead with compassion, resilience, and selflessness in my professional career. Leadership, to me, means guiding others toward a shared vision while supporting their growth and well-being. It means standing strong in the face of challenges, just as my grandfather did during the Korean War, and as my uncle continues to do in his law enforcement career. By embodying these values, I hope to honor their legacy and contribute to a better future for all. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn! @PrestonNerland

From a young age, I have been passionate about education, the environment, and the well-being of others. These values have shaped my academic journey and motivated me to pursue a profession in health sciences administration. I am driven by a desire to create a lasting impact by promoting equitable access to healthcare, ensuring environmental sustainability, and diving deep into a culture of continuous learning and personal growth. Growing up, my greatest inspiration was my grandfather, a proud Korean War veteran whose who served on the 39th parallel. His stories of courage and commitment to his fellow soldiers instilled in me a deep respect for those who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others. It was through his example that I developed my own ambition to serve, not on the battlefield, but in the realm of health sciences administration. Just as my grandfather fought for the freedom and safety of his country, I aspire to fight for the health and well-being of individuals and communities. His legacy of strength, perseverance, and selflessness fuels my determination to create meaningful change in healthcare, ensuring that everyone can lead healthy, fulfilling lives. My interest in health sciences administration stems from my belief in the importance of keeping people engaged in school and the community. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that students face, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, and I am determined to address these barriers. By pursuing a career in health sciences administration, I aim to develop and spread awareness about policies that prioritize the needs of students and their families, creating an environment where everyone can succeed. I am committed to putting people first and adopting a holistic approach to healthcare. I believe that true health and well-being encompass more than just physical health; they include mental, emotional, and social well-being. By focusing on the whole person, I hope to contribute to a healthcare system that is not only effective but also compassionate and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and communities. Environmental protection is another area where I hope to make a difference. I am passionate about taking manageable steps to safeguard our planet for future generations. In my future role, I aspire to integrate sustainable practices into healthcare systems, reducing their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality care. As the world around us changes, I also want to further solidify my dedication to continuous learning is a core value that drives me forward. I recognize that the field of health sciences administration is constantly evolving, and I am committed to staying informed about the latest developments and best practices. I see every challenge as an opportunity to grow and improve, and I am eager to bring this mindset to my future career. In conclusion, my passion for education, the environment, and holistic healthcare drives my desire to pursue a profession in health sciences administration. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident that I can achieve my professional goals and contribute to a healthier, more equitable world.

Throughout our everyday lives, there are people who endure life-threatening and adverse health conditions. Just like Tim Gjoraas, I too have lost family members and friends to cancer. It’s the loss of friends, family members, and loved ones that drive my passion for pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Curiosity to grasp an understanding of how science applies to our everyday lives, and the curiosity to find solutions to current issues, enables us to help one another. A passion of mine is to help others. I have been blessed with many opportunities to spread knowledge and continue to expand my interests in all subjects. Science has always been my favorite subject because new scientific findings can save countless lives and plays an important role in advancing society. The most influential factor contributing to my love for science is the rewarding feeling I get from helping others. From a young age, I was nurtured to help others and accept people for their differences. These values that I have implemented into my identity have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to my platforms on social media. Educating myself in the field of science allows me to help others in the hospital and on social media. On my live streams, I discuss how hormones and mindset have a profound effect on mental health, how feeling empathy can encourage change in society, and how a passion for learning about healthcare can save thousands of lives. A viewer of mine had reached out on social media after tuning in to one of my podcast live streams where I was discussing mental health. This viewer said that if it weren’t for my passion to help others in healthcare and on social media, he would have taken his own life. To reward me for my optimistic views on helping others, he reached out to the Ellen Show and secured me an interview. Though I did not end up getting a segment on the Ellen Show, I was ecstatic with the opportunity this experience presented me and was thrilled with the rewarding feeling of knowing I was able to save someone’s life. This passion to help others encourages me to continue learning about science and pursue my Nursing degree. The potential of saving thousands of lives by developing new technology or finding a cure to a health condition is another factor that influences my passion for science. Before I decided to pursue nursing, I wanted to become a biomedical engineer. I wanted to collaborate with others and develop new medical instruments that could make current healthcare procedures more efficient and accurate. Also, finding cures for diseases like cancer would save billions of dollars each year, and save millions of lives. I value life, and I believe everyone should be allowed the pursuit of happiness. Advancements in technology and developing cures to diseases would exponentially increase the quality of life would and save millions of lives each year. By the time I am thirty years old, I aim to develop a nonprofit. The goal of this nonprofit would be to humble others and educate others about differences that society in different geographical locations faces. I’d try to inspire the younger generation and teach them how education, specifically science, can be applied to benefit all humans. It is the passion to help others and the potential to save millions of lives that drives me to continue learning and sharing my experiences with others. These passions are where my love for science started, and these passions are where my love for science will continue to enable me to help others.