The sophomore pre-dental student got perspective on her future
November 2026 – Drew University’s Action Scholars program is designed to help students discover their purpose, deepen their connection to community, and develop the skills, relationships, and experiences that prepare them to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Through the program, run by the Center for Civic Engagement, undergraduates receive support and opportunities to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning with the people and communities around them.
Open to students across all majors, the program combines scholarship support with 100 hours of experiential learning each year, creating space for students to explore their interests, build confidence, develop transferable skills, cultivate meaningful relationships, and learn alongside community partners who are leading change every day.
At its heart, Drew’s Action Scholars program is an investment in the whole student, cultivating purpose, experience, relationships, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to community while helping students build a future that is both personally meaningful and professionally purposeful.
Summya Sana C’29
BS – Biology (Pre-Dental)
What have you done as part of the Action Scholars program?
As part of the Action Scholars program, I have been able to engage with my community through research, hands-on experiences, and professional shadowing.
I completed a research project on food insecurity, where I explored how food insecurity affects individuals and families and learned about the different food committees, pantries, and organizations around Drew University that work to support people in need. This experience helped me understand the importance of community involvement, raising awareness, and connecting people with resources.
I also had the opportunity to work with young children through my experiences in myofunctional therapy and speech-related settings, where I learned about the importance of supporting children’s development and understanding their individual needs.
In addition, I shadowed and worked alongside doctors and professionals at Adams Dental, where I was exposed to dentistry, oral surgery, myofunctional therapy, and speech therapy. One of the most impactful parts of this experience was learning about oral surgery and observing the clinical environment, including the preparation, precision, and patient care involved. I also gained exposure to entrepreneurship by learning from Dr. Adams, who owns and operates her own practice. Seeing how she balances patient care with running a business gave me a better understanding of the leadership, organization, and decision-making skills required to be a successful entrepreneur.
What have you gotten out of the program that adds to your experiences as a student in the classroom?
The biggest thing I have gained is the ability to connect what I learn in the classroom to real patients and real situations. Learning about biology and other sciences in class is one thing, but seeing how those concepts can affect someone’s breathing, speech, oral health, and development made the material feel much more meaningful. Working with children also taught me the importance of communication and understanding that every patient may have different needs. I have developed stronger communication, observation, professionalism, and clinical skills through this experience.
How do you think your experiences will help as you consider post-Drew life?
This experience has helped me become more confident about my goal of attending dental school and pursuing oral surgery. Observing different areas of dentistry has allowed me to think more seriously about the type of dentist I want to become.
What have been your biggest takeaways from the program—a particularly impactful experience/role, lesson learned, skill gained, etc.?
My biggest takeaway is that dentistry is much broader than I originally thought. I came into the experience interested in becoming a dentist, but observing oral surgery, general dentistry, and myofunctional therapy helped me understand how many different areas can come together to improve a patient’s health and development. I also learned that being a good healthcare professional requires more than technical knowledge—it requires patience, communication, observation, and the ability to understand the individual needs of each patient. Overall, Action Scholars has helped me build skills, confirm my interest in dentistry and oral surgery, and discover new interests in research and entrepreneurship that I want to continue exploring after Drew.
