April Spotlight: Ntxhee Xiong, MS. Ed.
Our April spotlight is Ntxhee Xiong, MS. Ed. Ntxhee is the Assistant Manager for the Health Profession Pathways Program in the Pre-Health Student Resource Center. She has a Master of Science in Education with a focus in Student Affairs Administration for Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Ntxhee also has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Prior to joining the Pre-Health Student Resource Center, Ntxhee was an Academic Advisor at Augsburg University where she advised the STEM, Natural Science, and Pre-Health Majors. Ntxhee is passionate about connecting and creating holistic relationships with students to help foster their leadership, experience, and opportunities to contribute to their future academic and career goals.
What inspired you to pursue a Masters with a focus in Student Affairs Administration? Did you always see yourself in a role similar to the one you’re in now–working with students–or did your career interests evolve over time?
My inspiration to pursue my Masters in Student Affairs Administration was during the spring semester of my junior year in college. I was wondering what I wanted to do when I was done with college. After talking to a few faculty members and completing my internship, I realized that I wanted to work in a college or university along with students, supporting them. I really loved the college and university setting because it gave me the opportunity to work with students who came from the same or similar backgrounds as me.
I really didn’t see myself in my current role right now. I always thought about just staying in academic advising, because that is what I loved to do and I loved the student interaction in that role. But over time, I realized that I wanted to expand my skill set more and challenge myself to work in an area that I wasn’t familiar with.
What drew you to become a leader of the Health Profession Pathways Program? Why do you think the program is important?
I was drawn to become a leader in the Health Profession Pathways Program when I first read about the position. In my previous role, I worked with a lot of students who had pre-professional intent, and it made me realize that I don’t know much about professional programs beyond the undergraduate majors. This shifted my views around student interaction and advising. I realized that I needed to learn more about professional programs and how to advise students better.
The Health Profession Pathways Program is very important because we need more representation and diversity in the health professions. In my perspective, a lot of our students of color stray away from pursuing health professions because of the many barriers and obstacles they are facing or may face, such as financial hardship, balancing work and personal life, transportation, and even just being able to get support from others. This program is built to help students feel supported and build their confidence.
What are some of the best qualities and strengths you see in the Pathways students you work with?
One of the best qualities I see in the Pathways students is their ability to take initiative to kickstart their health profession journey, by taking time to volunteer, shadowing at our partner clinics, and creating relationships with health professionals. The Pathway students spend a lot of time building their experiences and taking on opportunities.
What are some of your top goals for the Pathways Program over the next few years?
Some of my goals for the Pathways Program in the next few years are to bring new ideas and workshops for the students, and to try to gain at least one or two new partnerships so that students can have more opportunities to volunteer and shadow.
If you were granted three wishes for students in the Pathways program, what would they be?
One wish would be for all the Pathway students to be accepted into their program because many of them worked so hard to get to where they are at. They deserve to be in the best program that will give them the skills and knowledge to work in their desired health profession field.
My second wish would be for all the Pathway students to pass all their necessary chemistry sequence courses, because we know how tough chemistry can be. I believe in the Pathway students and that they can achieve this.
My third wish would be for the Pathways students to really live their lives to the fullest, with no regrets. Remember to have fun and smile because life can be short at times.
Ntxhee, thank you for sharing your perspectives with Pulse readers, and for all you do as a leader of the Health Profession Pathways Program!