Grace Jenkins
Graduation year: 2026
High school: Washington Community High School
Hometown: Washington, Ill.
Majors: Biology, pre-medicine
Activities: Chi Alpha Pi sorority, women’s track & field (two years), Campus Cupboard, UNYK Multicultural Dance Troupe
Internship: Medical Internship Program in Costa Rica
Post-grad plans: Dominate medical school!
Why Augustana?
I wanted a school that gave me a sense of community and belonging. I wanted a relationship with my peers and educators. I wanted a good, well-rounded education that would push me to grow and learn as I take the steps to becoming the physician I want to be. Augie gave me everything and more.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Not even close. I was shy, anxious and had very low self-esteem when I came to Augie. I kept my head down so as not to burden or disappoint anyone. But as I grew through the past four years, I have become much more confident, self-assured and eager to make connections both with the academic content I am learning and with the people around me.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
My beautiful roommates and best friends: Jordyn, Ellie, Rylee and Sarah. They are the first real friends I have ever had and who have been by my side and shaped me into the person I have become.
My amazing professors have also made such an impact during my time here. They have taught me that education and the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them is a gift. They have taught me that it’s okay to be nervous or feel uneasy with challenges that may be thrown at us, but it’s the way you react and the hard work you put in that define what the outcome will be.
Peak experience?
I loved my experience in Costa Rica. Being completely immersed in an entirely different culture, working with an experienced and thorough doctor taught me so much about life outside of my tiny American bubble and even more about myself as an individual.
While learning to overcome a language barrier and provide effective care for an underserved community was incredibly challenging, I developed a strong sense of resiliency, determination and love for people, which I had never quite felt before.
What surprised you?
I was surprised by how welcomed I felt so early on in my college experience. I naturally struggle with change, but getting involved in different groups and even within class quickly gave me a sense of belonging and love for the Augie community.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to go to Costa Rica for one month and intern with a general care physician. I spent a month seeing and aiding in the treatments of patients in real time, and entirely in Spanish. I got to practice physical exams, vitals, sutures, EKG radiography and visit a volcano!
What will you miss the most?
The people I have grown so close to here. Whether it’s my best friends, my sorority siblings, my teammates or my professors, I will miss getting to stop for coffee at the Brew and catch up with everyone on a regular basis.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Make connections. Reach out to your professors. Use your resources. Ultimately, make the most out of what you possibly can because it will shape you in ways in which you would have never imagined.
"Grace is a wonderful student and a pleasure to work with. She demonstrates a genuine curiosity and eagerness to understand biological processes, as well as their broader impacts on society. She brings a positive attitude to class that is contagious and elevates the learning environment for those around her. I’m excited to see her take the next steps in what is sure to be a bright future!"