Donor Support Paves Way for Student Leadership

The second that Makayla Tillett stepped foot on OCU’s campus as an eighth grader auditioning for Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, she knew it was the place for her. 

“If money wasn't an issue, OCU was at the very top of my list of schools that I had applied to,” said Tillett, a junior from Oklahoma City. “I felt comfortable, I felt at home, and I felt like OCU was the school on my list that was the best fit. I was extremely grateful when I ended up with enough scholarships and financial aid to be a student here.”

When she got to OCU, Tillett was encouraged to think outside the box with her cell and molecular biology major. She started with a pre-med focus, but then she witnessed biomedical research first-hand during an internship. Now she plans to pursue an M.D., plus a Ph.D. in biological sciences.

Tillett is thankful for the ways donor support has allowed her to get involved at OCU.

“Because of donor generosity, I am able to pursue my dream of higher education with less financial stress,” she said. “I have the time and energy to be a more active member of the OCU community. I am able to give my classes the attention they need, and as a result, I am a better student.”

Tillett has taken on increasing leadership roles in OCU’s chapter of TriBeta, a biology honor society, and OCU’s Miracle Marathon, which raises money for the Children’s Health Foundation. She is also secretary and treasurer of OCU’s chapter of Kappa Phi, a national Christian women’s group.

“The biggest growth opportunity for me here on campus has been being able to be involved in so many leadership positions,” she said.

Looking back, Tillett feels grateful to have attended a high school that partnered with a local technology center, where she took science and math classes with a biology focus. 

“I was fortunate enough to be offered specific concentrations at a younger age, and I think that led me to just being really comfortable in biology and really loving it.”

“As I've grown more into myself throughout college, she said, “I have learned how to be comfortable with not knowing everything and being comfortable with asking questions. I think that those two things are very important in becoming an independent critical thinker.”