Meet the ever lovely, Judy! This fabulous role model is currently my RA. She has helped me with so many tough situations and inspires me to always remember that everything happens for a reason. She is a remarkable motivator and encourages everyone to work for their goals. I sat down with her to gain some more insight and she gave some awesome advice!
Her Campus: What is the greatest impact Pitt has had on you?
Judy Ugwuegbu: It’s made me more aware of who I am and what I stand for, in terms of confidence. When you’re presented with a lot of ways of thinking you have to reevaluate how you’ve always thought–will you stick with it or will you change?– it’s made me stronger. It’s also made me more aware of people around me with different ways of life and beliefs. When you’re living with them, you learn more than you would have if you were, for example, just in high school and only saw them some of the time.
HC: What are the most rewarding parts of being an RA?
JU: Definitely the residents–forming those relationships and getting to know them. Working with staff in groups is fun. I love working in groups with people whether it’s with staff or residents.
HC: What else do you do on campus?
JU: I am part of SOGC gospel choir and that has been really fun. I’ve always been a band geek, but my schedule wouldn’t allow me to join orchestra so I joined choir instead. I’m involved in pharmacy organizations too. In two weeks I’m going with my entire pharmacy class to legislative day where we’ll be talking to legislators trying to advance the profession of pharmacy. It will be my first time doing anything like that, so I’m so excited!
HC: What advice do you have for others balancing tough academics and staying involved?
JU: Stay grounded, know what your priorities are, and study hard, but also remember that ten years from now when you look back you won’t remember a grade you got on a chemistry exam, you’ll remember the relationships you’ve built with peers and roommates or whoever you’re involved with.
HC: How has being involved in the campus changed you?
JU: It’s made me more outgoing. Before college in high school, I had my group of friends and was nice to everyone but I didn’t go out of my way to meet new people, so it’s definitely brought out the extrovert in me and has made me more comfortable.
HC: Any future dreams or goals for yourself?
JU: I want to be a pharmacist and do medical missions. My parents have a dream of building or being a part of running an orphanage in Nigeria (where I am from), so if I can use my skills full-time in third world countries that would be great.
HC: What is your favorite part about pharmacy?
JU: Definitely learning about medications and how you can use those to actually help people. Helping people is something I’ve always wanted to do. When I went to Nigeria with my family in 8th grade, it got me into wanting to do missions after I saw how people lived without the health care that we have – it really made me passionate about doing that.