Jason Nayar - School of Health Professions

Jason Nayar is a sophomore from Springfield, Missouri. He is a health sciences student with a pre-professional emphasis. Jason is on the pre-med track with the intent to go on to medical school and one day become a surgeon.

“I love learning about the different aspects of the medical field and how it all comes together to improve someone’s health,” Jason says. “Forming connections and interacting with people is huge for me, and there is no better way to interact with others than to be a professional in the medical field.”

In addition to being a student ambassador, Jason has been involved in campus organizations such as Sigma Eta Rho and Mizzou Club Tennis, which provides the opportunity to travel and play against students from other universities. In his free time, Jason enjoys exploring downtown Columbia with his friends or volunteering at the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

What should make students choose Mizzou?

Mizzou has such a wide variety of degrees and programs for any person. If one path fails, another opens for you. I also feel like Mizzou isn’t so big that you feel overwhelmed. You have your tight-knit groups and meet different people with how many clubs and events take place on campus.

What made you apply to be an SHP Student Ambassador?

I applied to be an SHP Student Ambassador because I wanted to be a part of the Mizzou community. I’m in various clubs, go to a lot of sporting events, and have developed relationships in my classes. I want others to have the same experiences as I have had here at Mizzou.

How did you choose your major?

I was initially a math major and switched to health sciences because I had friends tell me this major did a great job describing a multitude of jobs in healthcare. I instantly became interested because if I didn’t enjoy one part of the medical field, there were hundreds of other options for me to choose from.

What has been your favorite class at Mizzou thus far?

My favorite class at Mizzou has been biology 1500. The class had a big emphasis on group work and while I normally don’t like that, I really liked my group. I became great friends with them and it made the class a lot of fun.

If you could have dinner with one famous Mizzou alum, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with David Freese. I was at Game 6 of the World Series (some consider the greatest baseball game of all time) and I saw him hit the walk-off home run. It was the craziest sports experience I’ve ever been a part of and I’d love to talk to him for hours about what that moment was like for him.