Florida A&M University
Michelle Wilson is a junior pre-medicine biology major who
has already been admitted into medical school thanks to an innovative scholars
program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).
Through a partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s
(FAU) Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Medical Scholars Program
incorporates a rigorous curriculum and course load similar to medical school.
Students who successfully complete the four-year program are then admitted into
FAU’s College of Medicine.
As a high school student, Wilson proved early on that she was destined for greatness, graduating top of her class from Miami Lakes Educational Center in 2013. Upon graduation she was offered a full scholarship to attend FAMU, along with a life changing opportunity.
Michelle was a member of the first cohort of students
selected for the collaborative program, and was the very first member of her
class to be accepted.
“I was overly excited. I remember being in a state of
extreme happiness because I was the first one accepted. It was as if everything
was falling into place for my future,” Wilson said.
Since entering the program as a freshman, Wilson has managed
to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in all of her classes. Along with
being a full-time student she currently works as a part-time pharmacy
technician at Walgreens. Wilson is also a teacher’s aide, member of the National
Society of Collegiate Scholars, and president of the African Student
Association.
“It’s a sacrifice, a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s worth
it,” said Wilson.
On Jan. 27, the 220 Quarterback Club awarded Wilson with the
Rattler Spirit Award along with a $500 check. The club originally created the
award to acknowledge FAMU supporters and their contributions to FAMU athletics.
It was the first time the Rattler Spirit Award was given to a student for
academic achievement.
“I was very excited. I was not expecting a $500 check;
winning the award was enough for me.” Wilson said.
Eddie Jackson, president of the 220 Quarterback Club, said
he first heard about Wilson and her accomplishments in a news release from the
University and recalled some of the initiatives made by President Elmira Mangum
and her goal of getting students to graduate on time and strive for greatness.
“I was moved by her commitment and hard work. Maintaining a
straight ‘A’ average with the curriculum she has is very, very difficult,” Jackson
said.
Wilson remains humble about all of her success, and in a
field dominated by White and Asian men, she is very proud of being one of the
very few black females in a STEM program.
“I feel like anything is possible, especially for black
women. They shouldn’t be afraid. Women shouldn’t be afraid of the sciences. You
just have to work hard,” she said.
Wilson credits her mother and sister as being two of her
biggest inspirations. Her sister, who is a graduate of FAMU’s Pharmacy program,
is one of the reasons she chose to enter the medical field. Michelle’s mother
has inspired her to build a health clinic in her homeland of Nigeria, and
reminds her everyday to “let go and let God.”
Wilson said she is looking forward to attending medical
school at FAU, where she plans to study internal medicine.