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Jenny Norris ’23

Jenny Norris, a Katie C. Phillips Scholarship recipient, will graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and will pursue graduate school and a career in Psychology
Jenny Norris, a Katie C. Phillips Scholarship recipient, will graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and will pursue graduate school and a career in Psychology

Before the last week of classes of the 2021 spring semester, then-freshman Jenny Norris suffered a seizure in Graham Hall. After multiple scans and doctor's appointments, she learned she had a brain tumor.

The news did not deter her from achieving her goal of obtaining a psychology degree. Norris underwent surgery in July 2021 to remove the tumor and was in recovery until August 2021, when she began her second year at UNCW.

"Not only did this life-changing discovery happen in the middle of my college career, but I also had to adjust to the physiological and psychological changes due to the seizures, surgery and medication," recalled Norris. "I did all of this while pursuing my degree, taking charge of my diagnosis, and working to ensure that this did not halt the dreams and plans I had for myself. I overcame it with my family's help and faith in God. I am doing well, and for that, I am grateful."

Norris will walk across the stage in May to accept her bachelor's degree. She decided to pursue psychology because she has lived her life as an empathetic individual, said Norris, who is a Katie C. Phillips Scholarship recipient.

"I have always felt compassion towards individuals who have a mental illness. It felt like no other degree was an option. I had to choose psychology; it chose me," she said. "I want to lend my empathy and expertise to those that need it most."

After graduation, Norris plans to attend North Carolina Central University to pursue a Master’s of Art in Psychology. Within the program is a practicum course where Norris may choose to intern at one of many suggested sites. She plans to intern at Central Prison.

"Why inmates? I could not tell you. I care for them in ways I know they are not being cared for. Their mental health matters to me, and their rehabilitation matters to me," she said. "My calling is to extend my empathy to those neglected the most."

Norris, a native of Beulaville, NC, will be joined by her twin sister, Molly, during the May commencement ceremonies. Molly is a business administration major with a concentration in accounting.

"She is the most important person to me," said Norris. “My sister and I worked hard for our degree and success for the sake of our family. Our family grounds us and allows us to pursue our dreams, so we do not just want this degree for ourselves; we want to make our family proud."

 


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