WKU News

Chandler Nixon, a sophomore from Jackson, Tennessee majoring in biochemistry with a minor in neuroscience, is building confidence, experience and leadership skills through her involvement in various student organizations at WKU. 

Surprised by how far her college journey has taken her, Nixon said her natural disposition is to hang back, let others lead and avoid the spotlight, but getting involved in campus organizations and activities, such as the WKU Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) Academy and the Black Student Alliance is pushing her outside her comfort zone and into the role of leadership. As a result, she is gaining strong proficiency in organization, strategic planning, public speaking and decision-making.

Nixon serves on the executive board for the Black Student Alliance as the events director. She recently had the unique opportunity to assist the university in celebrating Women’s History Month.

“Before I was involved in the Black Student Alliance, I was one of those people who would just go to class and then go back to my room. You wouldn’t see me out much. No one knew who I was until last semester,” Nixon said. “I recently got into another organization called Kaois Dance Team. I am their organizational development coordinator. I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, such as booking and planning events and fundraisers. It has made me the type of person who can actually go out and talk to people instead of just waiting to be talked to.”

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Black Student Alliance hosted a movie night as well as regular chapter meetings throughout March with programming dedicated to women’s history and women’s health and wellness. 

“I am excited to participate in Women’s History Month because I love learning about women’s history,” Nixon said. 

The opportunity to get involved on campus by participating in student organizations was one reason Nixon wanted to become a Hilltopper. In addition, Nixon was drawn to WKU by the university’s proximity to her hometown and strong academic programs. 

“I chose WKU because it wasn’t so far away from home. It was the perfect distance. It was the out-of-state college that gave me in-state tuition,” Nixon said.

Nixon decided to study biochemistry because of her long-term fascination with the human mind.

“I am one of those people – I love learning about the brain. For so long, I always wanted to be a neurologist. I decided, I can do it. WKU has biochemistry and neuroscience at the undergraduate level, and those are the two main things I am interested in learning more about,” Nixon said.  

Continuing to be involved on campus and gaining experience in her field is also important to Nixon because it is helping her build community at WKU. In addition, campus involvement is teaching her valuable skills that are applicable in many different career fields.  

“It’s important to me because it keeps me from going back to how I was my freshmen year. With these organizations, I now have a reason to go out and meet new people. I want to be a part of something. It can get boring to just go back to your room after classes. With this, you have something rigorous to keep your attention and keep you engaged,” Nixon said.  

Nixon said she is planning her future career with an emphasis on helping others.

“I would always tell my mom, ‘You know, I am going to be the first person to find the cure for Alzheimer’s because it’s a really nasty disease.’ I would learn about it in my biology classes, and I was thinking this is something that no one should have to see their family members go through. It’s nothing that a person should have to go through. That was my motivation to keep on in school,” Nixon said.  

Next on the agenda for Nixon is applying to summer internships. She plans to spend the summer interning at a facility where she can help others and explore healthcare fields, such as nursing or mental health. 

Nixon said after she earns her bachelor’s degree from WKU she plans to either continue her education by attending medical school and becoming a neurologist or attending graduate school and earning a master’s, doctorate or both in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and becoming a medical researcher.

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To learn more about earning a degree in Biochemistry at WKU, visit https://www.wku.edu/chemistry/curricula/major_in_biochemistry.php