A cheerleader by nature and by choice, from the moment Haley Carrasco ’22 set foot on Juniata’s campus she was committed to making a difference in her life and the lives of those around her—and she’s been busily doing so for the past four years.

“It’s challenging coming in as a first-generation student, but that challenge was made a lot easier through the support of the financial aid office, the registrar’s office, and how personalized everything is,” said Haley. “I found mentors everywhere. I felt like I wasn’t figuring things out on my own, we were collaborating. As a first-gen student, I’ve always felt that support at Juniata.”

Coming from Cresco, Pa., near the Poconos, Haley’s Program of Emphasis was biology with a secondary emphasis in bioethics in pursuit of a career in medicine. She leapt into college life, becoming a Juniata cheerleader, a community adviser, co-president of the Juniata Activities Board, a resident assistant, a tour guide, a Pocono Mountain Evangelical Hunger Ministry volunteer, and an undergraduate researcher.

Throughout her academic career, Haley has been awarded the Homer C. and Ethel F. Will Biology Scholarship, the Charles Q. Griffith Jr. ’42 Endowed Scholarship, and the Elizabeth “Betty Ann” Ellis Cherry Leadership Scholarship.

With Jill Keeney, Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology, Haley conducted research on YNR029C, a gene of unknown function found within the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, otherwise known as baker’s yeast.

“It was completely sequenced in the 1990s, but, even after that, we don’t know what nearly one thousand of those genes do. I chose one of those genes, and I’m currently running experiments to see if I can figure out what it does,” said Haley, adding that her research is the subject of her senior thesis. “It’s been a great opportunity.”

Outside the lab, Haley is at the center of planning campus events and weekend activities, including cherished Juniata traditions like Mountain Day, Madrigal, Lobsterfest, and Springfest. Serving and encouraging others is a lesson Haley said she learned from her family, especially her mother and her younger brother, Cesar.

“My mom especially has encouraged me and pushed me to follow every crazy dream I have had,” she said. “She’s been my biggest support system, always helping me through the college process as much as she can, and having a helpful hand on my back.”

When she first began college, she was torn between surgical specialty and primary healthcare as her intended career field. Haley began job shadowing at Penn Highlands Huntingdon Hospital and was able to watch surgeries and take part in regular clinic visits. During a health professions course with Tricia Hunt, director of health professions, she learned of a virtual internship with the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, which provided her with the opportunity to interact with podiatrists from all over the U.S.

“I was also able to shadow at Raystown Podiatry with Dr. Tammy Carlson-Little. She served as a great mentor, and I got to know the Huntingdon community super well,” Haley said. “I met many different types of patients, from the oldest to the youngest. Now, seeing those same people at Walmart, they’re so encouraging and keep tabs on how I’m doing.”

Her internship and job shadowing experiences confirmed podiatry was the career she wanted.
Through an alumni connection with podiatrist Dr. Duane Ehredt Jr. ’07, Haley was able to expand
her knowledge and her interest.

“Podiatry was it for me,” said Haley. “I liked the idea that I could be a clinician—meet and talk with people, but also be a surgeon.”

Haley credits Tricia Hunt and the Health Professions Program with aiding in her preparations to apply to podiatry programs at medical schools.

“They helped me craft a good personal statement and understand the steps. They helped me out with the application and provided me with a mock interview and a committee letter,” she said. “It was great for me, especially because I don’t have any family in the health professions or anyone that I know personally.”

All her hard work has paid off, and Haley will be attending Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine in the fall.

As she looks forward to her future, she hopes to be able to help other first-generation students, much as she was supported along the way.

“I was so nervous coming to college, but everyone was super helpful. I’ve gotten support
emotionally and in getting to know people on campus,” said Haley. “I’d love to help motivate other first-generation students and empower them by being a part of the alumni network for Juniata. That helped me so much.”