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Michael Fiala
Growing up, I always dreamed that one day I would be experiencing the world at WVU. Some of my favorite memories were during middle and high school summers when I would attend soccer camp with the WVU team and get to stay in Towers with my friends for a few weeks. Although I could not participate in higher education directly after graduating high school, I continued working hard to make my dream a reality. I moved to Morgantown in my early twenties, and after living in the Mountain State for a few years, I decided to make West Virginia my home. Studying at WVU has always been a goal, and after getting an opportunity to apply for schools, WVU was the first and only option on my mind.
What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?
As a WVU Research Apprenticeship Program participant, I was fortunate to work on my first independent research project through my spring semester in preparation for the Undergraduate Research Symposium. One vivid memory I have was recording data for respiration rates of microbial activity in the lab during the late evening. I will never forget looking out towards the Evansdale campus and feeling the excitement of realizing I was beginning my career as a scientist.
Why did you want to become a PSA?
During my
first year as an undergraduate, I was overwhelmed and exhilarated after
discovering the different programs offered at WVU that I could never dream of
in my past. After meeting and learning from mentors, professionals, and other
students through various opportunities, I found an appreciation for education
and youth development. I aim to develop mentorship and leadership skills to
impact others and help them find their passions and achieve their dreams. As a
Presidential Student Ambassador, I will be given the tools to become more
involved with the community, guide individuals and students to explore their
options, and build on experiences by learning from others.
What did you learn from the PSA experience?
Before
participating in activities as a PSA, I wanted to find a path to grow into a
leader but was unsure how to begin the process. Through my PSA experience, I
have met incredible individuals who have guided me to continue finding new
opportunities to learn and improve my leadership skills. Because of this
program, I was encouraged to get out of my comfort zone, introduce myself to
others, and find like-minded people working to help others succeed and find
their passions. I have learned that anyone can be a leader, and by developing
connections, you can discover how to build from each other and achieve your
goals. This program has also taught me valuable lessons from all classroom and
service interactions to better prepare for my academic and professional career.
As a PSA, I have become more confident, committed, and inclusive and intend to
take more responsibility to serve others and the community.