Get to know the people who bring our mission to life.
Meet the Faces of 51直播
At 51直播, our people are the heart of everything we do. From inspiring faculty and dedicated staff who are invested in your success, to driven students, accomplished alumni and visionary leaders, the 51直播 community is united by a shared commitment to advancing health and improving lives.
Whether you’re here to learn, teach, discover or support, there鈥檚 a place for you in the 51直播 family. Together, we鈥檙e building a healthier, brighter future.
Meet your future friends, lab partners, teammates and collaborators at 51直播.
Our students come from near and far, bringing a wide range of experiences and passions. Whether it's sharing late-night study sessions, volunteering in the community or celebrating a research breakthrough, the friendships you make here will last a lifetime.
Faculty at 51直播
Nicole Shakerley, Associate Professor and Director of Health Sciences Program
鈥淚 have a giant DNA tattoo on my leg. It's part of one of the genes, catalase, that I worked on as a student. It gives me some cred with students: I have nerdy tattoos. When they get nerdy tattoos, they are excited to show me鈥hat DNA tattoo is an evolution itself. It started as a small tattoo on the top of my foot when I was starting my bachelor鈥檚. I was working on science, I identified as a scientist, and I am still proud of that. As I finished my PhD, the tattoo evolved into what it is today 鈥� there I go, adding in science.鈥�
Staff at 51直播
Patty Tompkins, Events Manager
Patty Tompkins leads the charge on one of the most meaningful moments at 51直播鈥擟ommencement. After planning the ceremony for 16 years, she鈥檚 seen it all. When asked which moment stands out the most, she said:
鈥�. . . when that pipe band kicks in. There is a feeling for me and I think anyone attending 鈥� like, it's one of those moments and it is palpable; you can feel it. Parents and everyone in the audience are just swelling with happiness and pride. It's that way every year, I just get this feeling of joy that these people are so happy. 鈥�
Kristen Ruby, Assistant Director of Administrative Operations
Kristen Ruby quietly keeps the campus running鈥攚hether it鈥檚 health insurance, parking, safety alerts, or building operations, she handles it all with calm, steady strength. At the 2024 Leadership Recognition Banquet, her dedication was honored with the SGA President鈥檚 Award for going above and beyond for students and campus life.
鈥淚 love what I do. I don鈥檛 look for recognition,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was blown away that I received this award. It kind of energizes me to keep doing what I鈥檓 doing, and to do more, to see that it means something to them.鈥�
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