Tesia Kim ’13 graduated magna cum laude with a biology major from the College of Arts and Sciences and a nutrition minor from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Since graduation just over a year ago, Kim has been putting her degree to good use. Since June 2013, Tesia has been teaching Principles of Biomedical Science through the Teach for America Corps (TFA) at the Richard T. Crane Medical Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois.

Kim has always been a high achiever. During her four years of undergraduate study at Syracuse University, she received the Distinction of Biology Award Certificate for Scholarship and Research Achievement, accepted the Deborah A. Coquillon Memorial Award for her dedication to assisting and advocating for others, and earned Dean’s List Honors for every semester, and Kim continues to excel in her post-graduation endeavors.

For her remarkable work as the founding Biomedical Science teacher working to improve science literacy and content mastery for the 150 ninth graders whom she teaches, Kim was honored as an exceptional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teacher within TFA.

“Syracuse University helped me achieve my goals by preparing me to be an independent lifelong learner whose curiosity only grows as my base knowledge builds,” Kim says. “Syracuse University also taught me the importance of hard work translating to success. The professors in the biology department exemplified sincere care and guidance for their students. They helped me realize the importance of having great leaders who support you in your goals.”

Amy Mirabelli, Kim’s Academic Counselor in the College of Arts and Sciences shows no surprise in her former advisee’s success. “Tesia has always been devoted to academic excellence and helping others. We are very proud of her and all of the success that she has had combining her knowledge of science and her enthusiasm for teaching and serving others.”

Kim shows no signs of slowing down in her commitment to the sciences and to helping others. With the help of Syracuse University’s Health Professions Advising, Kim has just applied to medical school for the fall of 2015.