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At that moment, she decided she wanted to be part of a network that had the power to connect people from all around the world.

Lisa Ward sat at a small café with her classmates in Orvieto, aÌýquaint town in Italy between Rome and Florence. It was closeÌýto midnight and the town was filled with excitement as localsÌýand tourists walked the cobbled streets. She was far from herÌý91³Ô¹ÏÍø home, yet she felt connected to the tiny town.ÌýComforted by American music videos from the 1990s beingÌýplayed on MTV in the corner of the café, she decided she wantedÌýto be part of a network that had the power to connect peopleÌýfrom all around the world.

Ms. Ward is no stranger to taking chances. She is five yearsÌýin remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a highly curable typeÌýof cancer affecting the lymph nodes), which helped strengthenÌýher decision making. With a background in patient services atÌýthe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, she was greatly inspired toÌýadvocate for other young adults with chronic illness. Ms. WardÌýtraveled to local elementary schools and educated children onÌýblood cancers by sharing her personal story of survivorship.ÌýShe visited senatorial offices in Albany to advocate for healthÌýbills affecting children’s cancer. It led her to obtain an internshipÌýwith Viacom in MTV’s Department of Public Affairs, where sheÌýused social media to spread awareness on issues such as sexualÌýhealth and discrimination. She created interviews for celebritiesÌýpromoting charities and researched various sources to build aÌýnew campaign based on stereotyping. Ms. Ward said the bestÌýpart of the internship was using a universallyÌýknown network to educate others on socialÌýissues and playing a small part in such a bigÌýchange.

As a graduate assistant at the Center for CareerÌýDevelopment, she administers the Strong InterestÌýInventory for students and alumni. The tool can help match themÌýto a career or major, based on their skill set and interests. HelpingÌýother students from different backgrounds reignited Ms. Ward’sÌýdesire to educate others.

After her study abroad experience in Orvieto, Ms. WardÌýbackpacked through Western Europe—Rome, Pompeii, Paris,ÌýAmsterdam, Barcelona and London. She now hopes to exploreÌýhow culture can affect a person diagnosed with cancer andÌýthe different forms of integrative medicines used to improve aÌýpatient’s self-esteem through yoga and dance therapy.

Ms. Ward is slated to graduate in January 2015 with a master’sÌýdegree in general psychology. She said she will join the PeaceÌýBoat voyage affiliated with the United Nations, traveling to BrazilÌýand Africa, gaining practicum experience with children. SheÌýhopes to combine her passions of travel and health by earning aÌýPh.D. in global health.