UHV senior on path to become doctor
Lola Ojo, a University of Houston-Victoria senior, is working her way toward a career in the medical field. And the Southwest Houston native wouldn’t mind starting her career in Victoria.
“I love the quietness here,” Ojo said. “Houston is so busy. Victoria is very close and personal; it helps me keep focused.”
Ojo is majoring in biology and minoring in psychology. She also serves as vice president of the UHV Student Government Association, which she has been a member of since her freshman year.
She has four siblings – an older sister, a younger sister and twin siblings, a boy and a girl.
“When they come to visit, I take them to Outlaw Pass,” Ojo said. “They love the go-karts and Laser World. I take them to the movies, too.”
Her childhood dream is to attend Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
“For the longest time, I’ve wanted to become a doctor,” Ojo said. “It was either going to be doctor or lawyer. I chose doctor.”
The most exciting part about graduating this spring for Ojo is having her family there to witness it. Her father is her main motivation and drive, and her mother acts as the voice of reason and emotional support, Ojo said. Her father works as a general area manager for Jack in the Box.
“Everything that I am doing is because of my love for my family,” Ojo said. “The backbone of my family would definitely have to be my dad. He really motivates and drives each of us.”
Ojo said she has enjoyed working with Jesica McCue, a UHV clinical assistant professor of biology, because of the impression she made on Ojo the first day of class.
“Dr. McCue is there to help students in any way, shape or form,” Ojo said. “She is very supportive and understanding of the struggle between balancing our personal lives and school lives.”
Another faculty member Ojo said she has enjoyed interacting with is Jennifer Ortiz-Garza, a psychology lecturer. While Ojo had taken an online class taught by Ortiz-Garza, they first met face to face through a student organization.
Ojo is president of Alliance, a UHV student group that provides resources, information and engagement to anyone who wants to become involved in the LGBTQ community. Ortiz-Garza is the advisor for the organization.
“Working with Dr. Ortiz-Garza opened my eyes and showed me how much she cares,” Ojo said. “She has always been there with a big smile.”
Ojo said she also has learned a lot from Beverly Tomek, a UHV assistant professor of history.
“She’s attentive,” Ojo said. “She’s really an advocate for students having a voice and finding resolutions.”
Her most unforgettable moment as a UHV student was realizing the impact students can make in the community. Ojo served as a Jaguar Journey new student orientation leader and Resident Assistant her sophomore year.
“I really just want every student to make a difference,” Ojo said. “Our community and the students’ excitement makes my time at UHV memorable.”
I am a Jaguar is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact Jeremy Shapiro, UHV communications manager, or call 361-570-4296.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
