Commencement Spotlight: Jocelyn Carnicle developed her passion for health care at UTSA
(Dec. 8, 2016) -- Meet Jocelyn Carnicle. She wants to use the education and experiences she received at UTSA to help patients in rural Texas communities similar to the one that she grew up in.
The Honors College student plans to follow her parents’ footsteps and work in the medical field.
UTSA was the only campus the Bay City, Texas native visited after hearing great things from a friend who was enrolled in the Honors College. During a campus tour, Carnicle saw that UTSA was a thriving university with top-tier programs and enthusiastic faculty and staff members who were committed to helping students succeed. After that visit, she knew UTSA was the right fit for her.
“The UTSA Honors College has provided a great support system for me,” said Carnicle. “I had great advisors, took advantage of interesting seminars and even got research experience as an undergraduate.”
In addition to taking courses in the UTSA College of Sciences, the biology major was a research assistant in the UTSA Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies. There, she worked with UTSA researchers to study how non-native accents are perceived.
Carnicle found this work applies to the medical field because speech may influence health professionals’ judgments of patients. She later developed that research into her honors thesis and hopes to continue her research on accents even after she graduates so she can better serve diverse populations as a doctor.
“I appreciate that primary care physicians get to work with patients of all backgrounds, and I want to be their advocate,” said Carnicle. “I want to develop strong relationships to provide preventative and comprehensive health care for my patients and their families.”
Outside of class, Carnicle refined her leadership skills as an Honors College resident assistant by helping freshmen become engaged leaders at UTSA. She was also involved with service projects as a UTSA Ambassador. Through that program, she participated in many community service projects on and off campus, as a representative of the university.
Carnicle will graduate with honors and says UTSA prepared her to chase her dream of becoming a primary care physician. She says others interested in health care should consider becoming a Roadrunner.
“I would tell anyone to come to UTSA because there are so many opportunities. UTSA is a developing campus with awesome faculty who want to see you succeed,” said Carnicle.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.