Student Spotlight | Mikayla LeDuff
College of Health Sciences
When I was applying to colleges, I knew I didn’t want to end up somewhere isolated.
I’d grown up in Livermore, Calif. — just outside San Francisco — and then moved to Colorado in middle school, where everything felt spread out and familiar. For college, I wanted something new.
I envisioned a campus connected to a surrounding city, a place filled with energy and culture where I could meet people from all over and learn from various perspectives.
That’s what drew me to the University of Memphis.
It had the perfect balance: a large, vibrant student body with a small-school feel. Professors knew your name, classes felt personal and the city offered endless opportunities to grow.
From the start, Memphis felt like the kind of place that could shape who I wanted to become.
From Nursing Aspirations to a New Calling
When I arrived on campus, I was still on the path to becoming a nurse. I had earned my nursing assistant certificate in high school and even completed clinical hours, but that experience helped me realize it wasn’t what I wanted in the long term.
I loved helping people, but I wanted to make an impact in a different way.
Switching my major to Health Sciences opened up new possibilities, though it took time to find the right direction. That moment of clarity came in my public health class. My professor’s passion for the subject was contagious. We explored issues in healthcare accessibility and the importance of leadership in creating real change.
That course changed how I saw the field — it showed me how administrators play a crucial role in improving care and addressing systemic problems.
That’s when everything clicked. I realized my strengths — organization, planning, communication — were better suited for healthcare administration.
It felt like the right path, one that could merge my love for structure and purpose with a chance to make healthcare more equitable and effective.
Leading and Learning Through Involvement
My freshman year in the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program was my introduction to the wide range of opportunities available on campus. The program’s leadership course gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and get involved.
Soon after, I joined Tiger Elite, a program that combines the former Tiger Ambassadors and Tiger Elite student leadership groups.
As part of Tiger Elite, I lead campus tours, attend recruitment events and represent the University at high schools and college fairs. I eventually became an intern for the Campus Visit Program, where I help organize schedules, plan events and train new guides.
Seeing an event come together smoothly and knowing I played a part in making it happen is one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve had in college.
Along the way, I also joined Black Scholars Unlimited and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Each experience has strengthened my leadership skills and taught me how to collaborate, communicate effectively and foster a sense of community wherever I go.
Connecting with Memphis Beyond Campus
My favorite part about going to school in Memphis is how much there is to learn outside the classroom. The city has become a second classroom for me — a place that’s taught me about service, adaptability and compassion.
Through volunteering, I’ve seen the many sides of this community. At Room in the Inn, a local shelter for families experiencing homelessness, I’ve helped prepare and serve meals and talked with residents about their stories.
Those conversations remind me why I want to work in healthcare leadership — because every system we improve affects real people.
I’ve also volunteered with Germantown Parks and Recreation, where I worked with children with special needs. The contrast between the populations I serve in Germantown and in Memphis has shown me how varied and complex this city is.
It’s taught me to adapt to different environments and people — skills that I know will be essential in any leadership role.
Growth, Gratitude, and Looking Ahead
When I first arrived at the University of Memphis, I didn’t know anyone. Moving across the country without family nearby was challenging.
I had to build a new support system, learn to rely on myself and figure out how to create community in an unfamiliar place. Over time, through classes, organizations and shared experiences, I did just that.
My academic projects have also opened my eyes to the disparities that exist in healthcare across cities and countries. Researching topics related to Memphis and beyond helped me see how different people experience opportunity and access — and how leadership can help bridge those gaps.
Now, as I prepare to graduate and apply to graduate school, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on who I was when I first came here versus who I am now.
I’m more confident, self-aware and ready to take on new challenges. I know I want to continue working within large institutions, learning and leading in ways that make a difference.
Through it all, my mom has been my biggest supporter. She’s the one who encouraged me to look beyond what was comfortable, to take a chance on Memphis.
Every time I doubted myself, she reminded me, “You can do this. Just try.” I’m so grateful she pushed me to explore something new — because Memphis gave me so much more than a degree.
It gave me purpose, perspective and a place to call home.
