Student Profile: Taylor Nanni
After working at a summer camp for children with autism, junior Taylor Nanni determined she wanted a career helping children with special needs. Researching her options through the Dr. A. Randle and Marilyn W. White Health Professions Resource Center housed in Harned Hall, Nanni believed a degree in biological sciences would help her accomplish her career goals, something she can do at Mississippi State University.
“When I first came to HPRC, I could tell that they wanted to help students and really wanted students to succeed at MSU as well as outside of MSU,” Nanni said.
Originally from Pensacola, FL, Nanni knew during her freshman year of high school that she wanted to attend MSU. Already having close connections to the university, the decision to attend the land-grant university seemed natural.
Though she started at MSU as an undeclared major, her summer camp experience after her freshman year in college helped Nanni find her place in the biological sciences department where she is focusing her attention on earning requirements to enter an occupational therapy school when she graduates from MSU in 2021.
Next semester, Nanni intends to start a club specifically for people interested in occupational therapy. “The goal for the club is to prepare you for professional school, see that OT is what you want, and hopefully connect students for OT observations that they can do in Starkville,” Nanni said. “I’m really excited about it.”
In addition to planning the future club, Nanni has served as a College of Arts & Sciences Ambassador, is a member of Rho Alpha Sigma honor society and has a passion for working as a resident advisor through MSU Housing. Having worked for housing since her freshman year, Nanni considers working as an RA as one of her most enjoyable experiences at MSU.
“Some of my best friends come from housing,” Nanni said. “Working there has truly made me grow better as an individual. I have learned so much from the residents I’ve had as well as my co-staff members.”
Reflecting on the first time she visited MSU, Nanni said she “instantly fell in love” with campus. “I loved the atmosphere and the community,” Nanni said. “Everyone here was so sweet.”
For students thinking about MSU, or new to MSU, Nanni encourages them to stay focused and never be afraid to ask questions. Feeling that MSU has prepared Nanni for the future, she said she doesn’t have a specific memory as being her favorite. Rather, Nanni believes that overall, “MSU is pretty great.”