As a sophomore, he’s also seeing how his required coursework fits together to create a complete picture of biology. “One thing I’ve discovered about my studies is that all of the courses that you find in the degree intertwine, and the chemistry is necessary to understand the biology,” he says. “I’m noticing how much they come together, and it’s really cool to see.”

When not immersed in his studies, Small serves as a volunteer coordinator at Read to Succeed, a program at the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club. There, he oversees a group of eight volunteers who read to elementary students at risk of falling behind. Twice a week, he hosts hour-long reading sessions with the students.

In the summer of 2018, he will intern at The Johns Hopkins University Research Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Through his coursework and real-world experience, Small is preparing for a life in medicine.

“I feel like I’m building my foundation for my career,” he says.