Michelle Deal, AU Junior 

Michelle Deal, a junior Nursing major, has traveled on three continents, worked with AIDS patients in Africa, presented a professional paper at a national conference, participated in a model U.N. at Harvard University, served as Co-President of the AU chapter of Phi Ell Sigma, was recognized as a prestigious Kemper Fellow and awarded an Imagination Grant. But much of that is an afterthought to her true pursuit, which is to "make a difference." Although she is very accomplished, she said, "The main thing that drew me to nursing was that it was a career of service." Her humble spirit has opened her up to opportunities to pursue her dreams of traveling and sharing the love of God with others in a tangible way. Her mother, Kim Deal, a fellow nurse, is her main inspiration. In fact, when Michelle traveled to Kenya with Tri-S, her mother met her in London and joined the trip. Her first experience with nursing was going to visit her mother, who worked as her school’s nurse in Fishers, IN. Deal joked that her mother’s clinic "had lots of neat things to play with." Through her mother’s example and encouragement, she found her own calling within the nursing profession. Deal’s concentration is on serving Latino communities, which is why she is also studying Spanish at AU. She hopes one day to travel to Central and South America to do medical missions but notes that her main job will be working in the Latino community in the United States.

Her experience at AU has provided her with the knowledge and competence to truly make a difference in the medical field. Besides the technical experience she has gained, she also feels she has grown professionally. Her professors have encouraged her to participate in research and take initiative. They helped her locate a professional conference at which she could present her research. They have also given her guidance about her future after AU, as she hopes to pursue a graduate level education. Beyond AU, her plans are not finalized but she believes that her interest in several fields, including psychiatric nursing, acute care, and midwifery will open doors for service.

It is in her faith in God that Deal finds much of her motivation towards a life of service. Nursing, for her, is a "way to reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus." She sees her career as a way to fulfill Jesus' commandment to love God and love others. "It’s the most tangible way I could see to love other people on a daily basis," she said. With love as her central focus, she hopes to extend her service to countless people as she travels the United States and the world to tend to the sick.