HOUSTON (Aug. 12, 2024) – Nikki Dash is starting her neuroscience career as a dual credit student at iSchool High at University Park and Lone Star College-University Park. At age 16, Dash will be the youngest HOSA Future Health Professionals president at LSC-University Park this fall.
“Nikki is an awesome student and HOSA Future Health Professionals member at Lone Star College-University Park. We are thankful to have her as the 2024-2025 president,” said Michael Elder, LSC-University Park, lead biology faculty and HOSA co-advisor. “Nikki has done an amazing job in HOSA and we know she will continue to lead by example as she steps into this role.”
Dash became a HOSA member in fall 2023 as a dual credit student enrolled in an anatomy and physiology course at LSC-University Park. She immediately became a young leader at 15 by attending meetings, volunteering at HOSA community service projects, encouraging fellow students and reaching out to club advisors and members.
“I joined HOSA at Lone Star College-University Park because it provides members with volunteer and networking opportunities in the health care field,” said Dash. “As someone involved with science competitions, I have always loved the opportunity to showcase and challenge my STEM skills. Additionally, I love helping people while participating in fulfilling activities.”
The HOSA Future Health Professionals is a global organization that helps students become leaders in health care through education, collaboration, experience and competitions. Dash earned first place in the Human Growth and Development category at the Texas 2024 HOSA State Leadership Conference and the HOSA 2024 International Leadership Conference. Her teammates also earned top honors by placing first, second, third and fourth place at both events.
“I can’t describe how proud I felt as a high schooler who won first place against university students, making my intense studying pay off,” said Dash. “Taking college classes at Lone Star College-University Park helped me prepare for the conferences because I was introduced to complex biochemistry and genetics and felt less intimidated because, as a teenager, I am used to taking classes with students in their 20s.”
Along with HOSA, Dash is also an LSC Honors College student, presenting twice at the Undergraduate Research Conference and has served as president of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Dash will graduate from iSchool High at University Park and LSC-University Park spring 2025.
“As a dual credit student on the pre-med track, earning college credit while still in high school shows not only my commitment to excellence but my desire to learn more complex ideas, accomplish harder things and reach higher goals,” said Dash.
After LSC, Dash will attend a four-year university, earn a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and apply to medical school. She is involved in 10 organizations at iSchool High at University Park, including serving as Interact Club president and Future Health Leaders Society outreach director. Dash is also a member of six community groups, many with ties to the health care industry.
Lone Star College offers 20 health sciences programs ranging from biotechnology to veterinary technology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study or LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Nursing-BSN.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
