m"Everything you learn will go with you to the bedside or the office. So enjoy the journey. Breathe. Give yourself some grace."
This month鈥檚 Student Spotlight features Tyra Newton - Quadruple Jag and Fall 2025
DNP graduate. Her ambitious spirit, love for learning, and heart for oncology all
shape her path toward impactful, patient-centered care. She shares about the importance
of leaning on your support system, embracing the journey, and pursuing excellence
in all that you do.
What inspired you to pursue your DNP and why did you choose 麻豆国产AV for
your graduate training?
I knew I wanted to go further in nursing to be the best provider that I can be, and
I truly enjoyed the Certified Nurse Leader MSN program. The support, care, and knowledge
I received gave me the confidence to pursue anything and everything. After starting
here and meeting the incredible faculty and staff, there was never a question about
where I would go for my terminal degree. They have been with me throughout my entire
journey and will be there for my hooding. As a student, and now as their colleague,
the experience I had left no doubt that 麻豆国产AV would be the institution
where I continued my training.
Can you tell us about your specialty area and why you chose it?
I feel like oncology chose me. I can鈥檛 see myself practicing in any other area right
now, and it all goes back to the knowledge and teaching I received from AU. With oncology,
you鈥檙e continually learning. That鈥檚 the great thing about cancer research 鈥� there鈥檚
always something new, and that progress helps improve patient outcomes. We meet people
at the worst point in their lives in hematology and oncology. You have to have patience
and understanding, and you have to give compassionate care. Yes, patients care about
the knowledge you have of their diagnosis, side effects, and chemotherapy, but they
also want to know your heart. They need compassion, and that means so much more because
anybody can just read information from a book.
Were there any moments along the way where you doubted yourself, and if so, how did you overcome them?
My faith has carried me a long way, along with the support of my family, my husband, my work family, and my school family. Over the years, I鈥檝e built strong relationships - from clinical pathology to nursing and now as a provider. Those connections have been invaluable. Even during moments of doubt, I could lean on professors for guidance and a listening ear. It鈥檚 really about having that support system and remembering we鈥檙e not meant to do this alone.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the DNP program?
Give yourself time and enjoy the journey. It鈥檚 not just about matriculating - it鈥檚 about the people you meet, the classes and clinicals you experience, and the knowledge you gain. Those are the pearls you collect along the way. You鈥檙e not just checking a box; ask yourself, 鈥淲hat am I learning?鈥� Everything you learn will go with you to the bedside or the office. So enjoy the journey. Breathe. Give yourself some grace.
m"I've always been a lifelong learner. The idea of progress motivates me."
The Graduate School is proud to feature Samantha Mullis, an MBA student in the Hull
College of Business who also serves as Associate General Counsel at 麻豆国产AV.
Her journey reflects a deep commitment to personal growth, leadership, and institutional
impact. Mullis brings a unique blend of legal expertise and business insight to her
role at the university鈥攄riven by a passion for collaboration, strategic thinking,
and continuous learning. In this Q&A, she shares how her MBA studies are enhancing
her ability to serve the university, what motivates her to keep pushing forward, and
why she believes education is always a worthy investment.
What inspired you to pursue your MBA and why did you choose 麻豆国产AV for
your graduate training?
An MBA was something I considered getting as a joint degree while I was in law school,
but I decided against it at the time. Since taking on this role as in-house counsel,
I have seen the benefits of being business minded along with giving solid legal advice.
I chose 麻豆国产AV because it鈥檚 where I work and the Tuition Assistance Program
makes it affordable.
Can you tell us about your work as Associate General Counsel at 麻豆国产AV?
Ultimately, my role as an Associate General Counsel is to support the mission of AU
by ensuring that we are as legally compliant as possible. 麻豆国产AV is especially
unique due to the complexity of programs, research institutes, and clinical programs
such as the Medical College of Georgia and Dental College of Georgia. We also employ
over 6,700 faculty, staff, and other subgroups which bring their own legal requirements.
Day-to-day I advise on a variety of legal issues that touch higher education. My portfolio
involves the simplest contracts to advising on complicated litigation matters. My
days are never the same, and not knowing what鈥檚 next from one of my fellow colleagues
across campus makes the job all that more exciting.
What motivates you to keep learning and growing both in your legal career and MBA studies?
I鈥檝e always been a lifelong learner. I鈥檓 also highly competitive with myself and looking for ways that I can be better. A better person, a better wife and mother, a better lawyer. I have been fortunate in my career to work for offices and firms that support professional development, and 麻豆国产AV is no exception. I guess, the idea of progress motivates me.
Is there a particular area - legal, business, or otherwise - that you feel especially passionate about impacting?
麻豆国产AV, obviously. I get most excited when I鈥檓 working on a strategic project to move the institution forward. I鈥檓 also passionate about impacting the culture and stigma of 鈥淟egal.鈥� While we do have a role to mitigate risk to the University, I want to help shift the perception of our office from being an obstacle to being a true partner in problem-solving. My goal is to foster a culture where faculty and staff see Legal as a collaborative, approachable resource that empowers them to move their initiatives forward responsibly. When we鈥檙e engaged early in the process, we can work together to achieve creative, compliant solutions鈥攁voiding reactive noncompliance on the back end.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the MBA program at 麻豆国产AV while working full-time?
That鈥檚 an easy one 鈥� do it. Just like you never regret a workout, I don鈥檛 think you regret furthering your education either. For prospective students who are also working full-time, my biggest advice is to find your people. Your people will be those that support you and keep you grounded. Communicate with them often. For me, that鈥檚 mainly my spouse and the friends I鈥檝e made in class who are also full-time professionals. Being upfront about your schedule and honest about what鈥檚 on your plate helps manage expectations, balance household responsibilities, and navigate the inevitable group projects more smoothly.
m"Remember why you started, lean on your support network, and make time for rest and activities that recharge you."
This month, The Graduate School shines a light on Keri Alber, a student in the Applied
Health Sciences PhD program whose research blends creativity with communication to
improve patient care. A dedicated 麻豆国产AV alum, Alber returned for her
doctoral degree drawn by the program鈥檚 flexibility, interdisciplinary focus, and supportive
environment. In this Q&A, she shares how her innovative research on visual communication
in medical education is filling a critical gap, how qualitative methods reshaped her
approach to research, and why staying grounded in purpose鈥攁nd supported by community鈥攊s
key to thriving in graduate school.
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Applied Health Sciences and why did you choose
麻豆国产AV for your graduate training?
I decided to pursue a PhD in Applied Health Sciences to advance my career and deepen
my expertise. I chose 麻豆国产AV because of the flexibility to earn the degree
while continuing to work full time, which was essential for me. I also earned my Bachelor鈥檚
and Master鈥檚 here. I was especially drawn to the program鈥檚 focus on interdisciplinary
learning and its commitment to preparing students for both academic and professional
career paths.
Can you tell us about your research focus and what excites you most about its potential
impact?
My research focuses on teaching medical students how to draw to communicate with patients and exploring how this training affects both the students and the patients themselves. What excites me most is the opportunity to address a clear gap in the existing research around this communication approach. I鈥檓 passionate about not only demonstrating its benefits but also encouraging others in the medical field to adopt and integrate this method, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Have you had any 鈥渁ha鈥� moments in your research or studies that changed your perspective?
One of my 鈥渁ha鈥� moments was learning the value of qualitative research. Not just for the depth of insight it offers, but also how engaging the analysis can be. It feels like solving a puzzle, synthesizing and piecing together narratives to uncover patterns and meaning. The course on Qualitative Methods changed my perspective on how qualitative methods can be used, especially when integrated with quantitative data. I now appreciate the strength of mixed-methods research in providing a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues by combining the richness of qualitative data with the structure and scale of quantitative analysis.
What motivates you to keep going on tough days?
I love learning, so the pursuit of knowledge keeps me motivated. I鈥檓 also motivated by my long-term career goals and the belief that the effort I put in now will open up greater opportunities down the line. Most importantly, the support and encouragement of my spouse, family, mentor, and colleagues keep me grounded and remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the Applied Health Sciences PhD program at 麻豆国产AV?
My advice to prospective students is to maintain a strong work-life balance and build a reliable support system. Staying organized and motivated is key. Remember why you started, lean on your support network when needed, and make time for rest and activities that recharge you.
m"Take on challenges that seem daunting and view that feeling of intimidation as a mark of a worthy pursuit."
The Graduate School sat down with Vascular Biology PhD candidate, Hunter Sellers,
whose journey through vascular biology, intellectual property law, and scientific
communication reflects both his curiosity and determination. In this Q&A, he shares
how his undergraduate experience in TGS' undergraduate Student Training And Research
(STAR) program influenced his decision to study at AU, what drives his work on obesity
and cardiometabolic disease, and how his recent success on the patent bar exam is
shaping a unique career path at the intersection of science and law.
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Vascular Biology and why did you choose 麻豆国产AV
University for your graduate training?
My reasons for coming to 麻豆国产AV were numerous, however my main draw was
the experience I had during the STAR program back in 2018. I spent the summer in the
laboratory of Dr. Neal Weintraub, and I thoroughly enjoyed the environment. The VBC
was dynamic and friendly, and the faculty were adamant that the focus would be on
student success if I were to return for my graduate studies. Upon applying to graduate
schools, the other schools I interviewed with didn鈥檛 quite match the vigorous commitment
to individual investment and excellent training.
Your research centers on vascular biology 鈥� can you share what excites you most about
your work and its potential impact?
My major advisor, Dr. David Fulton, recently used a metaphor that I think is pertinent to this question: The contribution of basic research to improving human health is a big wheel that we all push forward. My work on obesity and cardiometabolic disease is no different. I hope that the field of obesity will find utility in the models I鈥檝e created and use them to push the wheel even further towards a world with less burden of chronic disease.
Congratulations on recently passing the patent bar exam! How do you see combining your background in biomedical sciences with intellectual property law shaping your future career path?
Thank you so much! The exam is notoriously difficult and the preparation for it is no joke, but a few months of diligent studying makes the exam a manageable hurdle. Appropriate technical expertise is vitally important in providing competent representation to clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The world-class molecular biology and biomedical training I have received through Dr. Fulton鈥檚 mentorship will be instrumental in my ability to take client鈥檚 inventions and turn them into robust intellectual property.
What has been the most rewarding part of your graduate school experience at 麻豆国产AV University鈥攚hether in the lab, in the classroom, or through mentorship?
The highlights of my graduate school experience have been centered around the numerous opportunities to communicate my research with others. Whether that be through training new students in lab, choosing the right turn of phrase during a presentation, or writing a persuasive argument in a manuscript, that moment when understanding clicks for the audience brings a huge sense of satisfaction.
What advice would you give to prospective graduate students who are considering 麻豆国产AV University for their PhD studies?
I strive to be a person with few strong opinions; however, one opinion I do hold firmly is that education should be a deeply uncomfortable endeavor. Education should broaden world views and stretch capabilities in ways that can be quite unsettling. My advice would be to take on challenges that seem extremely daunting and to view that feeling of intimidation as a mark of a worthy pursuit.