Tyrica Edmonds-Miller was inspired to study nursing after watching the experiences of her brother, who has been dealing with severe health complications for more than five years. 

“Growing up, we always saw a variety of different nurses and I could tell which ones were willing to go above and beyond to help my brother,” says Edmonds-Miller, a first-year student in the Conway School of Nursing. “It was inspiring seeing the people who never gave up on him.” 

In recent weeks, her resolve to pursue a nursing career has only been strengthened by the global coronavirus pandemic. 

“A pandemic is something that I never thought I would live through, especially not at 18 years old,” she says. “This situation has definitely made the world smaller in my eyes and put a lot of things in perspective for me.” 

“A pandemic is something that I never thought I would live through, especially not at 18 years old,” she says. “This situation has definitely made the world smaller in my eyes and put a lot of things in perspective for me.” 
– Tyrica Edmonds-Miller

Because her brother is immunocompromised and her mother is considered an essential worker, Edmonds-Miller is well aware of the dangers faced by those who are unable to quarantine. In the future, she hopes to provide care for those with complicated medical needs, either through working in the medical field or as an advocate for new laws and regulations. 

“It is inspiring to see the number of individuals who not only give up their time to help those affected by the pandemic but also put their lives on the line,” Edmonds-Miller says. “I hope that I will be as caring, hopeful, and strong as the medical professionals who have made immense strides to flatten the curve around the world.”

Looking out for the good of her community is a strength of Edmonds-Miller, who is also involved in the University’s Center for Cultural Engagement. As a first-generation college student, Edmonds-Miller says she is especially thankful for the center’s Take Flight orientation program, which helps students adjust to college life by providing them with peer mentors, advice, and assistance on everything from financial aid to academic tools. 

“To be the first to receive a four-year degree in my family is a big deal for me,” she says. “I am the one who is starting the trend of pursuing higher education, even if it is not easy.”

Edmonds-Miller believes first-generation students can bring a “unique joy and passion” to the University community, because they can share stories about the adversity and challenges they’ve faced to get to where they are today. 

“This journey is hard but at the end of the day, we will be able to say that we took flight and created better lives for ourselves, those in our communities, and the world,” she says. “I hope that I can continue to educate the campus about being a minority and being a first-generation student so that we can continue to learn and grow as a community.”