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Noah Myers has found a variety of ways to lead during his time as a University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) student.

Myers is a resident assistant (RA) and works for Campus Recreation and Wellness. In the classroom, Myers is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and expects to graduate in May 2024.

"You should listen to the people you're leading and think of how you can implement what they're trying to do into your plans," the Canton, Georgia, native, said. "I like to have an open ear."

His great-grandfather was a lieutenant colonel in the Army who served in World War II and the Korean War and earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Myers always looked up to him as a model of service.

Then, a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection for Myers led to swelling and the possibility of an amputated leg at age 17. He suffered from sepsis, a dangerous body response to infection. The experience with his caregivers at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) gave him more role models and a career path.

"My nurses made me feel very calm about the whole thing. That sparked a fire in me," Myers said. "That was something I would also like to provide to other people."

As he pursues his BSN, Myers completed a pediatric elective externship at CHOA's Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center in summer 2023.

"It was a really rewarding experience. It was my first glimpse into pediatric health care since I was a patient," Myers said. "It solidified that I wanted to work in pediatrics. It is a lot of patient advocacy. You get to talk to doctors and anyone taking care of patients."

On campus, Myers serves as a steady hand in another arena with his jobs both as an RA and with Campus Recreation and Wellness.

"I have a presence in the places I lead, and they know they can reach out to me for help, to answer questions or if they just need someone to talk with," he said.