Finding her calling: How USCA shaped an aspiring dentist’s path

For North Augusta native Sydney Stephens, staying close to home was more than a preference; it was a source of strength.

As a first-generation college student, Stephans knew the transition into higher education would be challenging, especially without family members who had navigated that path before. Choosing USCA allowed her to remain near her parents and siblings, giving her the support system she needed to pursue her lifelong dream: becoming a dentist.

Now as she gets ready to walk across the stage for commencement on Dec. 11 at the Convocation Center, Stephens will complete the first milestone in her journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Stephens’ interest in dentistry began when she was in high school.

“I've always loved going to the dentist and that's not a really common thing,” she said, adding that she became fascinated with the environment, the science and the impact a simple smile could have on a person.

At USCA, she says her professors prepared her not just academically, but personally. “They taught me how to learn,” she said. “Dental school will be difficult, but the study habits and discipline I developed here gave me the foundation to succeed.”

One College of Sciences & Engineering faculty member in particular, Dr. William Jackson, had a significant influence on her. Stephens worked in his undergraduate research lab, participating in several gene-related projects focused on HIV research. Though her projects didn’t always yield the expected results, she gained something more valuable: persistence.

In one project, Stephens tried to clone a gene called PUMA, which helps cells know when to shut down, into a vector that can make copies of itself. Despite following careful steps, cutting open the vector, extracting the gene from another plasmid, and attempting to fuse them, she could never successfully combine the plasmids. The setbacks taught her perseverance and adaptability, lessons she says carried into her dental school application process.

Outside the classroom, Stephens made just as strong of an impact. She served as a Chancellor’s Ambassador, joined TriBeta Biology Honor Society and became part of the Pacer Pre-Health Club during its inaugural year in 2023.

Recognizing a need for accessible women-centered fitness opportunities on campus, she co-founded Embrace Fitness, a weekly women’s workout group created after a national chapter previously on campus shut down due to low membership. Stephens and another student rebuilt the organization from the ground up.

A self-described go-getter, Stephens says she rarely waits for opportunities to come to her. Instead, she seeks them out, whether in shadowing local dentists, getting involved in research or starting new organizations on campus. She hopes to carry that mindset into her career.

“Being in a profession where you help people means you have to be willing to take initiative,” she said. “I want to guide people toward better health, even when they don’t know where to start.”

After graduation, Stephens hopes to attend dental school in December. Her long-term goal is to remain in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and eventually open her own dental practice.

“Opportunities don’t always come to you,” she said. “Sometimes you have to go after them yourself.”

Stephens, along with 467 fellow degree candidates, will attend the commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, the Convocation Center.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.