More Than a Place to Live: How HPRC Shapes Future Health Professionals at CMU

The HPRC is more than just a place to live on campus. It provides a space for aspiring health professionals to grow and learn from one another. Emily Jacobs, HPRC President, answers Q&A about the residential college and how it shapes success for future healthcare professionals. 

What is HPRC? 

 The Health Professions Residential College (HPRC) is a residential college here at Central Michigan University designed to support undergraduate students who are interesting in pursuing a career in a health-related profession. We all live together on the 3^rd floor of Emmons, though it is beyond just a place to live. The HPRC is a structured community that blends residential life with professional and academic development and success. We provide opportunities specifically for health-focused students. 

 What drew you to the Health Professions Residential College, and how has the experience matched your expectations?

 The opportunities that the HPRC offers were the main aspect that drew me to join. Being able to make strong connections, gain valuable volunteer hours, and gain in-depth insight of campus made my decision to join the HPRC easy. My experience within the HPRC has surpassed my expectations. Not only has this place helped me grow professionally and academically, but it gave me a place where I found all my closest friends. I found my college family here and it has provided a place for me to grow as a leader. 

 What’s something unique about living with other health‑focused students?

 As a college student going into the health professions, there are hard classes that are required for our majors. Being on a floor with students who can relate to you and have been in your same classes before provided a great learning opportunity for HPRC students. We can knock on our neighbor's door and ask for help, because most likely, they are in or have taken the class you need help with. This is just one of many ways the HPRC supports academic success. 

 How does living in HPRC enhance learning in health‑related majors?

 As a residential member of the HPRC, you have access to our study room. We have a dedicated space for collaboration and enhanced learning. This space includes many anatomical structures, anatomy textbooks, and school supplies. These resources being readily available for use is beneficial to provide enhanced learning for the HPRC students.

 How does the collaboration between the College of Health Professions and Residence Life benefit students?

 Not only do we have our RA's on the floor, but we also have our peer mentors. This gives four different support contacts for any student to go to when they are having academic or social issues. The collaboration between the two is a very united partnership. We can work together to plan events, promote each other's events, and encourage floor engagement and community. 

 How does HPRC help students build skills needed for healthcare professions—communication, teamwork, empathy, leadership?

 Every student in the Health Professions Residential College is required to gain points in each of our 5 C.L.A.S.S. standards. These are community, leadership, academic, service, and scholarship. Our Student Advisory Board creates events and opportunities for students to get involved in each of these C.L.A.S.S. standards. By requiring these standards, students can build their resumes and skills needed for enhancing their professional and academic careers. 

 How do you see HPRC shaping the future generations of health professionals at CMU?

 The HPRC helps students grow academically and professionally by providing leadership opportunities and service opportunities. While there are many more aspects of the HPRC, I believe these two aspects shape the future generation of health professionals at CMU because it gives growth opportunities and allows students to learn who they are as a leader while continuing their education. We can volunteer in the community and learn what we like and what we don't like as health professionals. 

 What advice would you give to an incoming student considering HPRC?

To any incoming students considering joining the Health Professions Residential College, I highly recommend joining the HPRC as it has completely transformed my entire college experience. By being a member of this community, you will be able to build your resume for your future professional and academic career. You will have the change to have professional, educational, and personal development. Being a member here will allow you to form lifelong friendships. Joining the Health Professions Residential College was the best decision I have made coming to Central Michigan University.