Linda Troyer
Current Role
Adjunct Instructor at Corban, Medical Scribe, future Peace Corps volunteer
Major
Health Science, 2018
What’s one thing that surprised you about Corban?
The community here is so joyful and encouraging, which can be partly attributed to Corban’s small size. I came in as a shy freshman with no intentions of leadership, and by the time I had graduated, I had served as an RA, a member of the Student Event Team, and a lab assistant for multiple labs. Corban invests deeply in its community and places special emphasis on student leadership.
What about Corban specifically prepared you for this next step in your journey?
Corban gave me the opportunity to explore my leadership ability in a challenging and safe environment. I quickly learned that dependence on Christ is crucial to any leadership position. As I am currently preparing to serve with the Peace Corps as a health education volunteer in Moldova for two years, I can honestly say that if I had not attended Corban, I would not have felt equipped to serve in such a capacity. I was encouraged to step up into leadership and then supported and challenged as a leader.
What’s one thing you would want to tell someone starting their journey at Corban?
Get involved. The community at Corban is unlike any I’ve seen. Find something you are interested in and get involved with a club or leadership position. Be engaged in the community, and you will find people who will rejoice with you in your victories and sit with you in your sorrows.
Who is one professor who had a strong influence on your development? Can you give an example?
Dr. Christina Cooper and Dr. Sarah Comstock. Both of these women are excellent examples of balancing work, leadership, and family. As I considered what a biblical woman’s role would look like in my future career, I was able to see how each of them live out a life that honors Christ while staying true to their calling and passions. They challenge their students well and are always willing to take time to talk, whether that be about a class or to give life advice.
How were faith, leadership, and ethics woven into your courses? How did those elements prepare you for life, regardless of where you work?
As a scientist, it is easy to focus on facts and numbers. At Corban, however, we consistently brought the focus back to our faith and how that intertwined with our medical research. There were multiple papers and debates on what the Christian approach should be to the science world. Instead of polarizing science and religion, the professors at Corban do their best to prepare us for the challenges that Christian scientists face in the real world. Having a strong belief system in place prior to entering the medical field has proved invaluable.