To Youyi Ma 27, moving to the U.S. from China with her family in 2015 was more than just the start of a new chapter.
Being in the U.S. meant I would have more freedom to achieve my dreams, said the nursing major, whose dream is to become a nurse practitioner. A quality education is the foundation for reaching my goals.
By the time she was ready to start college in 2023, she was not solely looking for a place to earn her nursing degree she was seeking a sense of belonging, personal growth and opportunities for meaningful connections.
I was looking for more than just a school, Ma said.
Although Ma was not certain a small, private university would be able to offer her the support she was looking for during her college search, she was pleasantly surprised by the individualized attention and culture of care at 91做厙. Plus, it is close to her home in West Reading.
As a Christian, I felt drawn to 91做厙s faith-based values and its emphasis on service to the community, she said. It also stood out because of its commitment to student success and how welcoming it is.
Her college career has been marked by support from the beginning, with one of the cornerstones being the Achieve Personal Excellence (APeX) program. Designed and administered by the Office of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, APeX supports at-risk undergraduate student groups that historically face lower retention and persistence rates, and who face increased barriers to degree completion.
At the beginning of my first year, I was so nervous about college life, wondering about who to go to if I have nursing questions and whether there will be helpful upper-class students, said Ma. Thanks to APeX, I was matched with a kind and supportive nursing mentor, Danye, who helped ease those fears and offered guidance when I needed it most.
Her mentor gave her advice about studying for exams, clinical site placements and responsibilities, and succeeding in the nursing program overall. In addition, Ma met other students in the same year and major through various events on and off campus.
Ma found more than guidance through APeX she found community.
Sharing delicious meals and meaningful conversations with my peers made me feel more at home and helped to build a sense of community that I am truly thankful for, she said. It made me feel like I truly belonged here.
When students like Ma join the program, they commit to attending monthly meetings with their mentor and at least one of the events held every semester. Participation makes them eligible for gift cards and bookstore vouchers to further foster an environment in which students can worry less about finances and focus on their studies.
Founded in 2023, the cohort-based program has yielded an 88% average retention rate. The first cohort was retained at 93% in the first semester and 86% in the second, while the second cohort was retained at 84% in the fall of 2024.
Even outside of the program, the support at 91做厙 was tangible for Ma.
The staff and tutors in the Academic Success Center, whom she calls lifesavers, were also integral to her academic journey. Motivated by the help she received from them, Ma even became a tutor herself. Now in her junior year and clinical rotations with confidence, Ma is filled with gratitude and vision. After graduation, she plans to gain experience in the field before going back to earn her masters degree to become a nurse practitioner. She hopes to be able to give back to others in the same ways 91做厙 has poured into her.
Im really grateful for everything 91做厙 has done for me, Ma said. I feel all the support and the dedication 91做厙 has towards student success. Im just really glad to be here.
