Success Stories

Nina Childs, a first-year student at the University of Michigan-Flint, has wanted to be a pediatrician since childhood. "My interest in medicine stems from a desire to help children, and the natural bond I seem to have with them," says Childs, a resident of Lansing, Michigan. "When I was a kid, I would fix little cuts or scrapes for the neighborhood kids and my family. You have to be creative and have a sense of how you can help kids through different experiences. Even something as simple as a shot in the arm."

Putting her dreams into action, Childs is pursuing a bachelor's degree in health sciences with a pre-med concentration. From there, she would like to apply to medical school and then complete a pediatric residency program. Childs also plans to earn a PhD in pediatric special needs so she can conduct research on autistic children. Eventually, her goal is to open her own medical practice.

Early Beginnings

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Childs knew from an early age that she wanted to go to college. "Since the age of 10, I've had a dream to attend college. At the time, it was Vanderbilt University," she says.

But that childhood dream seemed largely unrealistic, given her circumstances. "I come from a low-income background. My family has faced significant personal and financial challenges," says Childs. "My dad passed away when I was six, so it was just my mom, my brother, and me. Even before my dad passed away, we had a lot of instability, moving several times to different houses due to a lack of safety in our community. And from that point on, we lived in low-income apartments."

Discovering Unexpected Possibilities

Childs says she was ecstatic when she learned she was accepted to UM-Flint, and that she was a recipient of the U-M Go Blue Guarantee. "The Go Blue Guarantee changed my life. Without it, I would probably have gone to community college," she says. "The Go Blue Guarantee has allowed me to focus on my studies without accumulating overwhelming debt. It has also positively impacted my academic motivation and engagement on campus. Overall, the Go Blue Guarantee makes me want to work harder to keep these valuable resources. I am very grateful."

Giving Back

Childs was recently elected secretary of the UM-Flint Honors Student Council and will begin her appointment this fall. In this role, she will be responsible for posting meeting notices, recording discussion topics, and tracking the duration of each meeting. "This position is important because it creates a clear paper trail of our discussions," says Childs. "It helps document our efforts to connect honors students with faculty who teach the various honors courses offered at UM-Flint. I'm excited to take on this role because it allows me to showcase my strengths in multitasking, staying attentive, and accurately taking notes during our meetings."

Personal Growth

Childs values the well-rounded education she is receiving at UM-Flint and highlights the personal growth she's experienced — particularly around resilience, leadership, and communication skills. "I've learned that I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was. I've remained resilient, despite the curveballs and ups and downs of college," she says.

A Favorite Course

Childs says a memorable class was "College Reading And Learning Strategies" taught by Stephanie Vidaillet Gelderloos, a lecturer in the Department of Language and Communication. "This course became my favorite because it balanced engaging material with a fun, welcoming atmosphere. It wasn't just a class — it became a meaningful part of everyone's lives. Our teacher created a safe space where we could be vulnerable when needed, and was incredibly understanding," says Childs. "She also organized several field trips and a scavenger hunt, which helped us get familiar not only with the UM-Flint campus but also with the broader Flint area."

Building Relationships

The most meaningful relationships Childs has formed at UM-Flint have been with her roommates, who helped her build a social life on campus without compromising her academic success. "I've also found a supportive community among the peer educators at the Center for Gender & Sexuality (CGS), who have provided a safe and affirming space where I can be myself," she says. "Among the faculty, I've also built a strong and impactful connection with Melissa Sreckovic, an associate professor of education and director of the Honors Program. The faculty's guidance and support have played a significant role in my academic journey here."

Finding Meaning

Childs says that some of her most rewarding experiences at UM-Flint have involved participating in neurodivergent-focused events on campus, such as Neurodiversity Night and Officer Friendly Day. "I've also been fortunate enough to contribute to meaningful projects, including the installation of fidget stands across campus and the creation of personalized fidget bags through CGS. These initiatives not only reflect my interests but also reinforce my sense of belonging within the campus community."