It’s no surprise that nursing and health sciences students are drawn to community service. After all, they have chosen to pursue careers based on helping others and making the world a better place. This spotlight series shows how some of our students share their time and talents to solve problems, improve lives and strengthen communities.

Naydeline Mejia, Communication Sciences and Disorders ‘20

Naydeline spent a week during winter break scraping wood, removing mold, installing insulation and rebuilding walls in the house of a single mother with three children that was flooded during Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that caused catastrophic flooding in southeast Texas. Naydeline traveled with a group of 40 students from UVM InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to work with ServeUP and the St. Bernard Project on the restoration project. 

“It was my first time doing construction, and it was very strenuous work,” Naydeline said. “It was really fulfilling, especially meeting the family who lived in the house. It was personal. I really like helping people. Whatever I end up doing after my undergraduate career, I want to work with people and connect with others. That’s why I do CSD, because it’s very personal – you work closely with patients.”