Student Spotlight: Heather Graham, College of Health Sciences

The Walden University Writing Center is privileged to work with talented students. In the Student Spotlight Series, we aim to support incredible work our students do, both in and out of the classroom. The goal of the Student Spotlight Series is to provide the Walden community with a place to build bridges and make connections by developing shared understanding of the diverse and varied student journey. Students share stories about their writing process, their efforts towards social change, and their motivations for pursuing higher education. We ask questions, and students generously answer.

This Student Spotlight features Heather Graham, student of the College of Health Sciences.

Why did you choose Walden? What drew you to pursue a degree at Walden?

I chose Walden because I was moving overseas. My husband is in the Air Force and stationed in the United Kingdom. I needed a school that could work with my living situation. Also the school offers a military discount and accepts the use of the Post 9-11 GI Bill. Living overseas has been difficult at times when trying to communicate with my teachers, however, they have all been wonderful in accommodating my needs.

Heather and her husband during their travels.

What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies?

I am passionate about helping others. I became a nurse for that reason. I am also passionate about my family, they mean everything to me. Soon my husband and I will be expanding ours in June. Hobbies, well before moving to the United Kingdom, I lived in Alaska. My hobbies included snowboarding, fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. Mostly all the outdoors adventures. Since moving, my new hobbies include seeing the world! Since living in England I have traveled to Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland. I look forward to seeing all that I can while living here. My husband and I also continue to snowboard, now our hobby is to ride all the European mountain ranges. So far we have completed Solden in Austria and Alpspitze and Zugspitze in Germany.

Heather and her husband on a ski trip

How have you created a community around yourself in your program? What do you do to interact with your classmates and colleagues?

After my first semester I learned that there were Facebook groups for each course I was enrolled in where students communicate with each other to help with the struggles we have in classes. We help each other by making assignments more clear or give ideas when we struggle with writing a paper. Some of the classmates I have personally friended on Facebook and we will talk about school and life. It is nice to communicate with others and relate to others in the program.

What are your strengths in writing? What are your greatest challenges?

Since using the writing center, I feel I have developed a strength in the flow of my papers. I have made improvements with my use of commas, semicolons, and colons. I still have a challenge with using passive voice, however, the writing center has been helping me identify and correct my errors. They give me samples and resources to help develop my writing skills.

What is one Writing Center service you would recommend to new students?

I highly recommend using the writing center to have your papers reviewed. I had been out of school for about 5 years and it was rough getting back into it. I had forgotten how to write in APA format and struggled with a few things. The people at the writing center would critique my papers and help give me pointers and resources to be a more developed writer.

How would you describe your personality to someone just meeting you?

Sometimes shy at first, but then very outgoing and friendly. I am an honest person and that can either make or break a friendship it seems. I like people to be open and honest with me and to tell me the truth. This has made it difficult moving to another country. I can be very blunt and honest, but I don’t mean harm. I look at it as constructive criticism. I want people to tell me the truth, even if they don’t think I would like it. However, once someone takes the time to get to know me, I can be the best friend they will know. I am loyal and care about my friends, and I will always have their backs.

How do you hope to apply the work you have done as a student to the work you will do after graduating?
If I have to write up policies or procedures for my nursing, I hope to use what I have learned to portray myself as a professional and produce professional work. I can use this experience to help me complete research and present it in a way that will be easily understood by others. 

Heather on the steps of an ancient monument.

The Walden Writing Center provides information and assistance to students with services like live chat, webinars, course visits, paper reviews, podcasts, modules, and the writing center webpages. Through these services they provide students assistance with APA, scholarly writing, and help students gain skills and confidence to enhance their scholarly work.

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