91视频

91视频 students, Donna and Emily Neulinger, share a passion for anatomy and both aspire to work in the medical field. Their mutual love for medical sciences has led them to enroll in the Allied Health programs at 91视频’s Rolla location.

Donna, 43, is a graduate from Newburg High School and she has been living in the Rolla area for most her life. She has always love learning, and particularly enjoyed helping Emily with her college coursework when the 22-year-old attended Crowder College, Neosho, Mo., where she earned an Associates of Arts degree.

Donna, inspired by her daughter’s pursuit of a college degree, made a life-changing decision and enrolled as a full-time student at 91视频 in Rolla.

鈥淚 thought to myself, what is holding me back? I enjoyed helping Emily so much with her classes, I wanted that for myself,鈥� Donna said.

鈥淚n high school, I wasn鈥檛 a good student,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 lacked focus and motivation, but life gave me wisdom and experience and that motivates me to discover and pursue my real passion.鈥�

That passion, Donna said, is anatomy.

鈥淎natomy is my baby,鈥� she added. 鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely fascinated with it and how the human body works.鈥�

Donna鈥檚 initial goal was to become a nurse, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed her perspective due to the critical need for nurses.

She had initially planned to enroll in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at 91视频 in Rolla. However, she made a shift toward the Registered Nurse (RN) program while taking the required Intro to Anatomy & Physiology class. This allowed her to explore a more extensive range of human anatomy and science courses.

Tracy Mowery, Associate Professor of Biology, played a critical role in Donna’s academic journey.

“Donna has an admirable zest for learning and as a student always went above and beyond to learn about the human body,鈥� she commented. 鈥淎s an educator, it is refreshing to the spirit when you have a student who desires knowledge for its sake alone. “

Mowery also encouraged Donna to apply for 91视频’s Student Success Specialist position, where she now tutors other students in anatomy, biology, and chemistry. Donna enjoys helping her fellow students and hopes her passion for science is contagious.

Daughter and Returning Student

Emily, 22, also has a love of anatomy and plans to apply to either 91视频鈥檚 Radiologic or Surgical Technology programs. Right now she is enrolled in Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology, a prerequisite to the College鈥檚  Allied Health programs.

Emily鈥檚 interest in anatomy developed into an extensive animal bone collection that she has learned to clean, preserve and display.

鈥淚t started with just a walk in the woods when I found some pieces of bones,鈥� she said.

The collection has grown to the point that Emily is preparing to assemble a complete feline skeleton.

鈥淪eeing my mom succeed has given me motivation to find my own successes through 91视频,鈥� Emily said.

That鈥檚 why she returned to college after her AA degree and is pursuing training in the medical field.

鈥淟iving at home, working a job part-time, and going to school part-time allows me to have a social atmosphere that enables success,鈥� Emily said, adding that attending 91视频 with her mother has its perks.

鈥淚 love seeing her after classes to say, 鈥楬i.鈥� 鈥�

Emily’s love for learning extends to her eagerness to travel across the country with her mom to visit museums.

During their fall break in October, they explored the M眉tter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. They’ve also visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Bethesda, Md.

Their Dream Jobs

When asked about her dream job, Donna said she鈥檇 be a school nurse.

鈥淚 would be able to have an impact on a child, not only physically but also psychologically.鈥� Donna said, remembering the vital role of a school nurse from her childhood. 鈥淔or me, it gave me the time to take a breath and reset before going back to class. In this job, I feel I can really make a difference in a child鈥檚 life and guide them in the right direction.鈥�

When asked what her dream job would be, Emily, without hesitation, answered, 鈥淭o be an owner of a cat caf茅 鈥� but I know that is only a dream.鈥�

Learn more on the LPN, RN, Radiologic Technology or Surgical Technology programs, or contact Nancy Mitchell, dean of health science, at nancy.mitchell@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6619.