Emma Olson
Emma Olson
Class Year
’29
Hometown
Dixon, Illinois
Major(s)
Neuroscience, Spanish
Emma Olson ’29, a double major in neuroscience and Spanish, is a recipient of the Highest Honors Scholarship. With the support of her scholarship, Emma can pursue her dreams of working in healthcare, gaining the skills and experiences she needs to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives and contribute to the well-being of rural communities. “When I was making my decision to come to Carthage, the scholarship helped me think less about cost and more about academic opportunities.”
Along the way, Emma has fully immersed herself in campus life. She is a member of the spirit team and the , serves as a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, works as a student ambassador and lab assistant, and participates in both and the .
learn more about scholarships at carthage
Why Carthage?
“There are many reasons why I chose Carthage, such as the rat lab in the Neuroscience Department, the opportunity to continue my sport while focusing on academics, the amazing J-Term study abroad opportunities, the incredible view of Lake Michigan, and all the wonderful academic opportunities Carthage offers. But most importantly, I chose Carthage because of the amazing community on campus.”
Faculty mentors
“I have met some amazing faculty at Carthage, and many have impacted my college career. One professor in particular, Professor Rebecca Hornung, allowed me to take her sophomore-level Social Justice and Social Welfare course as a freshman. In it, I learned that people of different ages, backgrounds, races, political standpoints, religions, and sexualities can all come together to have intelligent discussions while respecting each other’s opinions. Prof. Hornung created an environment in the classroom different from any professor I have had before; one where all opinions are heard and the learning is not done by lecturing but by having a discussion.”
Favorite class
“So far, my favorite class has been my J-Term study abroad trip — Comparative Health Systems: Priorities and Perspectives. This class was my favorite because we traveled to Norway to learn about the healthcare system there and compared it to our healthcare system in the United States. It helped me learn and think about ways I can make a positive impact in my own work in the healthcare field.”
Career goal
“I’m still deciding between becoming a physician or a physician assistant, but either way, my goal is to help as many people as possible while bettering the United States healthcare system and advocating for equally accessible healthcare for all people.”
Favorite spot on campus
“My favorite spot on campus is the Campbell Student Union because it houses so many good restaurants. I love to grab late-night snacks from the Red Zone.”
Best study tip
“Get out of your room and study at one of the amazing spots on campus like the Campbell Student Union, Hedberg Library, the David A. Straz Jr. Center, or even outdoors.”
What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?
“When I was 8 years old, I wanted to be the first female president of the United States because I wanted to help as many people as possible. But that soon changed when I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I lived in a rural area that lacked nephrologists, so we had to drive three hours for me to get adequate care. I realized then that instead of being president, maybe I could help more people like me who did not have access to good healthcare by becoming a doctor and working in a rural area. My younger self would be proud that I’m working toward equality in healthcare.”