Student: Jenyqua Young
East Carolina University’s Jenyqua Young, a senior in health services management, dedicates her time to helping people in need.
Her journey with helping others began in high school when she started volunteering at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Young worked in the hospital’s outreach program that focused on breast cancer patients and teaching young women preventative health care.
Young started volunteering with Trillium Health Resources in Greenville when Hurricane Florence came through. Now she’s an intern there.
Jenyqua Young has been working to help others since she began working as a hospital volunteer in 2012.
According to its website, Trillium Health Resources is a local governmental agency that manages mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental disability services in eastern North Carolina.
“I really want to help the communities that are underserved, and Trillium is all about finding resources for people who are intellectually disabled or have drug abuse problems and I feel like that is so important,” Young said.
Coming from a family that sees the importance of helping others fueled her own passion for doing so as well, Young said.
“My mom is a nurse and that’s been a big drive for me, and my father always has been there for people who are less fortunate,” Young said.
Her commitment to helping others has inspired many, including her professors.
“Jenyqua’s energy and commitment encourages us all — students and faculty alike,” said Leigh Cellucci, professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Young wants to continue working in health services management after graduation but is also considering continuing her education to become a nurse.
“My biggest goal is just to help people and let them know someone cares,” Young said.
Professor who influenced you the most: The professor that has influenced me the most during my time at ECU was Dr. Cellucci. She is a woman of her word and she works incredibly hard for her students. She is a great mentor who knows when to be sweet and when to be stern. She has given me confidence in my abilities as a student and strength as a woman, to hold my head up high and face life’s challenges head on. During her leadership course, when I was a junior, she told the class this one phrase that has stuck with me and has helped me get through times of nervousness. The phrase, as my memory recalls, was as follows: “You have to remain calm, strong and kind when dealing with conflict resolution.” This phrase provided words of wisdom for students aspiring to be future health services managers, but most of all, it has helped me in stressful situations.
The one thing you cannot live without: My friends and family.
Your words to live by: When times are hard, know when to stand still to assess your actions and gain clarity.
What advice do you have for other students?: Stay positive and determined because you will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: Free viewing of movies in Mendenhall. I could have saved money on movie tickets if I had known earlier.
STATISTICS
College: Allied Health Sciences
Major: Health Services Management
Age: 23
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy drawing, watching Kung Fu classics with my father, taking long walks, and volunteering in my spare time.
Clubs and Organizations: I am a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: My favorite hangout spots are Town Common Greenway (specifically where you can view the Tar River) and the duck pond by the health sciences building.
Favorite place on campus: Laupus library. This is where the academic magic happens.
Favorite place to eat: Home. My father’s cooking is the best.
Favorite class: My favorite classes during my semesters at ECU were Health Care Quality Management (taught by Dr. Asagbra), Leadership and Ethics (taught by Dr. Cellucci), Management of Population Health (taught by Dr. Bell) and Health Information Management (taught by Dr. Campbell). In truth, all of the professors in the health services and information management department played a significant role in enhancing my education. I am forever thankful for their support and guidance.
Favorite TV show: “The People’s Court”
Favorite band/musician: Sister Sledge – “He’s the Greatest Dancer”
Favorite movie: “Good Will Hunting”
Favorite website: Amazon
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Working as a nurse in a hospital setting.
Role model: My father.