Students gain community and confidence while building futures in healthcare

For Aurora University Health Science students Andrea Garcia '26 and Lotzy Munoz '28, one summer opened the door to a lifetime of opportunity. By participating in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), they immersed themselves in hands-on learning, built connections with mentors and peers across the country, and returned to AU with sharper skills and renewed confidence in pursuing careers in healthcare.

Garcia and Munoz are among AU students who have recently taken part in SHPEP, a free initiative that looks to strengthen academic proficiency and career development among students from underserved populations who are interested in dentistry, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more.

The program, which is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is run annually at 11 universities across the U.S.

Garcia, a first-generation student in the Pre-Dentistry track, participated in the program in 2024 at the University of Iowa. Her experience included hands-on opportunities, including making dental molds and applying dental wax, and receiving feedback from professors and current dentistry students.

"It was a pivotal moment in my academic career that gave me the confidence to pursue my goals and showed me the power of community," she said. "I now have connections with students and mentors from the program who guide me, especially with interview preparation. It's great to have people I can go to for help!"

Munoz, also a first-generation student who is minoring in Chemistry, was inspired to apply for the program as she plans to pursue a career in medicine. She participated in 2025 at the University of Iowa.

"As I researched the field, pursuing medicine started to feel like an unrealistic dream for me, especially as a first-generation student," Munoz remarked. "Since completing the program, I feel more committed and more comfortable with the steps I need to take to accomplish my goals."

During her program, Munoz was able to shadow a pediatric cardiologist and meet with professionals from medical, dental, pharmacy, and public health fields.

Beyond exposure to health professions, SHPEP participants also complete volunteer work. Garcia and Munoz each had the opportunity to work in a setting providing healthcare to immigrant and Spanish-speaking farmworkers.

The impact of SHPEP lasts far beyond the summer. Both students returned to AU with sharper academic skills, stronger networks, and a clearer vision for their professional paths. Garcia shared that the program gave her new strategies she now applies in class, while Munoz recalled how a cadaver lab experience brought her coursework to life.

"The healthcare field and careers are evolving at a faster pace than ever due to advancements in technology and research practices," explained Ruby Kaur, chair of health science and pre-professional medical programs at AU. "Experiences like SHPEP allow students to build a national network of health science students, practice skills hands-on, and become one step closer to gaining admission into a competitive professional school."