Interested in becoming an Ambassador?
Student Ambassadors are current students with a passion for sharing the UMR story. Every year the Office of Admissions looks for students who are personable, outgoing and excited about UMR.
Applications available each semester. All inquiries can be sent to the Office of Admissions at [email protected].
UMR Ambassadors
Abby
- Pronouns: they/she
- Hometown: Blaine, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: Medical lab scientist
- Why did you choose UMR: I love the close-knit community and small class sizes.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Taco Bell near the Kemps Building
- Favorite place on campus: Second floor of 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Meeting my best friends during the Raptor Tournament in orientation week.
Aiswarya
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Rochester, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2029
- Career Interest: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Why did you choose UMR: Health sciences focused campus with small classroom sizes allowing you to form great connections with your professors for excellent opportunities!
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Thai Pop
- Favorite place on campus: USquare
- Favorite UMR memory: Raptor Ready Week as it allows you to experience a lot of different fun events like bowling, racing, hiking and swimming with a new group of people forming lifelong friendships and memories!
Anna
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Madison, WI
- Graduation Year: Fall 2029
- Career Interest: Nurse
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR for its small class sizes, connections to Mayo Clinic, the opportunities UMR provides, focus on health care and spacious dorms!
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Mango Thai
- Favorite place on campus: Information Commons (The Library) at USquare
- Favorite UMR memory: I served a beautiful float serve in intramural volleyball. After injuring my knee my senior year of high school, it felt amazing to do something again after I thought I had lost it forever.
Ashley
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Waite Park, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2026
- Career Interest: Neonatologist
- Why did you choose UMR: Smaller classes helped me build close connections with professors. I was also accepted into the Early Assurance Pharmacy Program.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: ThaiPop, SongTea or Newts
- Favorite place on campus: 318 Commons—I love the wall plants and big windows for study breaks.
- Favorite UMR memory: Attending the Best Buddies Leadership Conference as club president—I built leadership skills and met incredible people.
Bella
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Lakeville, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2028
- Career Interest: Physician
- Why did you choose UMR: I really liked the small class sizes and the focus on health sciences. I also really liked all the opportunities that come with being so close to Mayo Clinic.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Chester’s
- Favorite place on campus: My room.
- Favorite UMR memory: Raptor Ready Week because that is where I met all of my college best friends.
Brody
- Pronouns: he/him
- Hometown: Mountain Lake, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2026
- Career Interest: Psychiatry
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose to go to the UMR for two main reasons: it's relatively close to home, and it's surrounded by Mayo Clinic. But now that I've had one year of experience at UMR, I'd say I've also been able to benefit from the small class sizes and being able to share a common goal with my classmates. I love all of these factors because I can still go home to see family for important events, have easy access to events led by Mayo (like career fairs or trainings on how to apply), one-on-one time with professors and getting to be on a first name basis and I'm surrounded by others who also have a passion for health care!
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Hot Chip Burger Bar
- Favorite place on campus: Group Fitness Studio at the SLC
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory is when an LLC hosted a Charcuterie Board Night and my friends and I got to be on the top level of the SLC, looking out over the skyline and eating meat, cheese and fruits while pretending to be fancy.
Daelyn
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Maple Grove, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2026
- Career Interest: Pediatric surgery with a specialty in either neurology or cardiology
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because of the close proximity to the Mayo Clinic and the plentiful opportunities to engage with the community and Mayo through the school. I also enjoy the smaller class sizes and ability to seek one-on-one help.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Nupa Mediterranean Cuisine
- Favorite place on campus: The 2nd Floor of 318 Commons because of the study spaces and greenery
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory would be getting into a regenerative lung lab with Mayo thanks to the eMERGing mentor program through the school. I was able to grow my knowledge in the field of pulmonary medicine, and I gained a better understanding of the new innovations in technology available and its impacts on regenerative research. The lab was a fun environment to be in, and it grew my interest in medical sciences relating to our pulmonary and cardiac systems.
Dyzhana
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Mound, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2028
- Career Interest: Anesthesiologist
- Why did you choose UMR: Everything is close and connected. Staff and students genuinely want you to succeed.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: The Taco Shop
- Favorite place on campus: Study space at 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Late-night walks with friends through the city helped us bond and take a break from studying.
Elodie
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2026
- Career Interest: Pathologist
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because of its close proximity to Mayo, and all of the shadow and research opportunities that come with it.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Snappy Stop
- Favorite place on campus: Peace Plaza
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite memory was getting to explore the city of Rochester and surrounding areas with all of my friends. Whether that be attending events in the cities (Oktoberfest, Rochester symphony orchestra, Local markets) or simply going wherever the paths take us (along the Zumbro river, Whitewater state park, Quarry Hills nature center), I was able to build meaningful connections with my new community here!
Hailee
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Bertha, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: Travel cardiothoracic surgeon
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR for the small class sizes and the teacher-to-student ratio. Professors take time to learn your name and ask about your weekend.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Olive Garden or Nautical Bowl
- Favorite place on campus: Fitness studio in the SLC basement or study rooms in TDS
- Favorite UMR memory: Studying abroad in Germany for two weeks—The food and culture were incredible, and I met so many amazing people.
Hannah
- Pronouns: she/her
- Graduation Year: Fall 2026
- Career Interest: Physician Assistant
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because of the small campus and how you can get to know everyone and all the professors.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Tap House
- Favorite place on campus: 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Intramural volleyball and basketball because you get to meet a lot of new people and they are very fun to be a part of!
Jessica
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Anoka, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2029
- Career Interest: Nurse Anesthetist
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR for its small campus and strong focus on academics. I was especially excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Early Assurance Nursing Program.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: The Taco Shop in Peace Plaza
- Favorite place on campus: 318 Commons study spaces
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory was when all my friends and I got together and had a little party to open our first open ended chem exams the day the scores were released because we were all so nervous to open them by ourselves. It was so much fun being able to hangout and bond over chemistry.
Jordyn
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: New Richmond, WI
- Graduation Year: Spring 2029
- Career Interest: Cardiac Nurse
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR since it stood out to me with having so many opportunities and close growing relationships with Mayo. Also all the staff and student workers were extremely helpful and welcoming to new students.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Taco Bell
- Favorite place on campus: 2nd Floor Study Space at 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Favorite memory is Raptor Ready week, because I got to meet some of my best friends during that week and it was an overall FANTASTIC time!
Kate
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Tokyo, Japan & Philippines
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: MD-PhD
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because of its focus on health care, small class sizes and caring faculty. I always feel supported with the endeavors I pursue, which makes UMR special.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Bebap
- Favorite place on campus: The 2nd Floor of 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory is when we hosted the first RapTunes event during Valentine's season last year because it was a fulfilling moment for me, and we received a lot of support from fellow students.
Leif
- Pronouns: he/him
- Hometown: Luverne, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: Geriatric Psychiatry or Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because the small class sizes were very familiar to me coming from a rural community. You won't get the level of community building that we see here at larger schools.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Hollandberry Pannekoeken
- Favorite place on campus: The 2nd Floor of 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite memory at UMR is winning the People's Choice Award my first time presenting at the Spring Research and Education Symposium.
Maddie
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Roseville, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2026
- Career Interest: Physician Assistant in Women’s Health
- Why did you choose UMR: I really enjoyed the small class sizes with the strong community feel. The drive and focus surrounding Health Sciences was also a big factor in choosing UMR.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Twigs Tavern and Grille
- Favorite place on campus: My favorite place on campus is the first floor of Two Discovery Square near the newly renovated Cafe Steam!
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory was the 2024 UMR Olympics hosted by the UMR Running Raptors - I loved getting to see all of the different student groups compete against each other as well as faculty members in different events!
Mary Lou
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Slayton, MN
- Graduation Year: May 2027
- Career Interest: Pediatrician or pediatric anesthesiologist
- Why did you choose UMR: Small class sizes and personal relationships with professors helped me grow academically and professionally.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Red Cow
- Favorite place on campus: Second floor of 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Professor Michelle called me by the wrong name in O-Chem to snap me out of daydreaming. It sparked a mentorship that helped me thrive.
Morgan
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Rogers, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2028
- Career Interest: Radiation Therapist
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because I felt that being surrounded by ambitious students who also wanted to dive in the health care field would motivate me to continue my diverse journey as a healthcare professional!
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Pascals Pizzeria
- Favorite place on campus: 3rd Floor Terrace at 318 because it is so cozy and feels like a blend of nature and the city.
- Favorite UMR memory: UMR has granted me lots of great memories but one that stands out to me is definitely meeting my people. There is always a worry with starting somewhere new, that you won't have anyone there to support you. I am confident that UMR enforces great connections that will last you a lifetime
Natalie
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Chisago City, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2029
- Career Interest: Physician
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR for its diverse array of health care opportunities, proximity to Mayo and its dedicated faculty team, who consistently strive to deliver course content in the most successful way possible.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Redwood Room
- Favorite place on campus: Study area at 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory is after the first chemistry exam scores came out, my friends and I drove to flapdoodles to get ice cream and celebrate the accomplishment of getting through our first big exam, regardless of the grade we got. I love this memory because it highlights the sense of community at UMR and was a great way to appreciate the hard work we put in as students.
Ngoc
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Hager City, WI
- Graduation Year: Spring 2029
- Career Interest: Neurosurgery or Trauma Surgery
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because of its small but very diverse community.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Thai Pop
- Favorite place on campus: USquare
- Favorite UMR memory: My favorite UMR memory is hanging out at my professors’ JustAsk when it wasn’t busy and talking about non-academic things. It made me feel really comfortable and like I truly belonged at UMR.
Olivia
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Anoka, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2028
- Career Interest: Sonographer
- Why did you choose UMR: The opportunities, small class sizes and Mayo Clinic proximity drew me in.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Smoak BBQ or Bruegger’s Bagels
- Favorite place on campus: 318 Commons Terrace
- Favorite UMR memory: After Valentine’s Day, my friends and I shared a heart-shaped chicken nugget box before getting ready for Ebony Night. It was a perfect break from routine.
Paige
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Sleepy Eye, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: Family Medicine
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR because it has many great opportunities, such as Mayo, volunteer experiences and many research opportunities. I really enjoy that the class sizes are smaller and I'm able to build one-on-one connections with my professors.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester:
- Favorite place on campus: 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Intramurals! You get to meet a ton of new people and it's a great way to de-stress.
Parys
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Osceola, WI
- Graduation Year: Spring 2027
- Career Interest: Nurse practitioner
- Why did you choose UMR: No matter where I am, I feel a connection and a sense of belonging.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Wildwood
- Favorite place on campus: Intercultural Center
- Favorite UMR memory: Raptor Reconnect—It’s a great way to reconnect with peers and kick off the school year.
Shruthi
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Chaska, MN
- Graduation Year: Spring 2026
- Career Interest: Physician assistant
- Why did you choose UMR: I chose UMR for its small class sizes and the unique experience of being close to the top hospital in the nation.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Pho Tai
- Favorite place on campus: Study space at 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: Ebony Night—It was so fun to dress up and watch student performances with friends.
Tatum
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Owatonna, MN
- Graduation Year: Fall 2027
- Career Interest: Public health medical laboratory scientist
- Why did you choose UMR: I’ve always been passionate about health sciences and UMR offers diverse career opportunities.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: HuHot
- Favorite place on campus: Study pods in 318 Commons—The windows keep me focused and productive.
- Favorite UMR memory: Playing pool in the Nest with my roommate always fills the space with laughter.
Vaida
- Pronouns: she/her
- Hometown: Whitehall, WI
- Graduation Year: Spring 2026
- Career Interest: Physician associate, specializing in reconstructive hand surgery
- Why did you choose UMR: UMR’s connection to Mayo Clinic offers unmatched mentorship and clinical experience. The early assurance PA program gives me a direct path to my career.
- Favorite place to eat in Rochester: Tilda’s or Terza
- Favorite place on campus: Second floor of 318 Commons
- Favorite UMR memory: During Gen Chem 2 lab, my partner called our ballpark trial a ‘baseball trial.’ It captured the fun energy we brought to learning.