Meet Aashvi Pandey, 2025 Graduating Class Student Speaker

Putting the Pieces Together

Adaptability and perseverance are essential for a successful college career, especially when aspiring to medical school. For Aashvi Pandey, the ability to adapt came early when she moved half a world away as a child. Equally important as mastery of the art of healing, is the art of caring. She says, “Showing someone respect—sometimes that’s all they need. You just have to listen and care.”

As an aspiring medical student, the capacity to care can get an early test when confronting the realities of patient care. Pandey faced those realities almost immediately, volunteering as a patient sitter in an emergency room at age eighteen. Those moments also gave her a firsthand experience of the highs and lows of healthcare delivery.

“If they [patients] came in and they wanted to hurt themselves or hurt others, they would require one-on-one attention.” She remembers the challenges of managing patients with dementia. “Sometimes they were very combative. But once you get them out of that state, you talk to them like any other person.”

Did these raw encounters give Pandey second thoughts about her chosen path? “No, absolutely not,” she recalls. “It was inspiring. I’m with this person. I’m helping them. It was gratifying.”

Her mother remarried and relocated from India to Green Bay when Pandey was seven. “I can still recall the hot climate, monsoon season and monkeys stealing their mango plants. My grandpa and I would go and make paper boats, and we would play outside in the rain.”

An introspective personality added to her adjustment. “I was a very quiet child when I came here and didn’t know fully how to speak English.” Despite this, she gradually adapted to her new environment, making friends and adjusting to life. “It was hard to fit in, but I made some friends eventually. It was all good.”

“All good” meant enjoying high school and planning for college. Pandey decided early to pursue medicine and attend UW-Green Bay. “I chose Green Bay because it felt like home. I thought it would be a perfect choice.”

Her high school grades had always been good, but transitioning to college was a fresh challenge, especially after the COVID-19 lockdown her senior year in high school. She had to adjust to attending classes in person again, this time in a completely new environment.

“My freshman year was hard for me, transitioning from being all online to being in a classroom again. I struggled. I’m the first one to say it. My first year was not great.”

Pandey knew she needed help and, in her own words, “get my act together.”

A pre-med track does not afford the luxury or time. Pandey was aspiring to attend medical school and as she now acknowledges, “you don’t have a lot of leeway there. You’ve got to start thinking like a doctor from day one.”

Pandey also started thinking like a teacher. And her teachers noticed.

“Over the past several years, Aashvi has shown a remarkable commitment to her fellow students, especially those in need of guidance,” recalls Kiel Nikolakakis, UW-Green Bay associate teaching professor in Chemistry. “She consistently made herself available outside of class if students needed to ask questions or talk about their college experience and provided them with honest and open advice based on her past experiences.”

Those contributions have expanded Pandey’s aspirations to extend beyond medicine to teaching. “I want to do something with family medicine just because it aligns with my ideals.”

And while Pandey generously acknowledges all the assistance along the way, she’s still had to do the work and maintain her focus. For that, Amanda Nelson, UW-Green Bay associate professor of Human Biology and student advisor gives Pandey full credit plus a positive prognosis. “I’ve helped show her where the puzzle pieces are, but she’s had to embrace and collect those pieces and put the picture together.” To that she adds, “she’s going to be a phenomenal physician.”

Aashvi’s Prescription for College Success

Looking back, what advice would you give to your first-year self?

“Start the race running, not walking. And believe in yourself no matter what and don’t compare yourself to others because comparison is the thief of joy.”

What would you say to someone who might not think they’re not “college material?”

“You are always enough. If you’re dedicated to do something, then you should put your mind to it and do it. There’s nothing that should be in your way. The resources are here when you need them. Just don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

You’ve mentioned enjoying being a mentor and tutoring. How did it help you with your studies?

“My first experience mentoring was being a teaching assistant for the anatomy and physiology neurology lab section. I really enjoyed the whole process of teaching and seeing students when they ‘get it,’ because I’ve been in that position!”

What surprised you when you first started college at UW-Green Bay?

“I knew that I would get to interact with my professors, but I didn’t realize the dedication of the faculty. They genuinely care about student success. They offered me help outside of class as well, and they were always ready to be in office hours or set up a meeting. It was great. It felt like I was home.”

Anyone else you’d like to thank?

“I would say Carly KibbIe. She’s my mentor. She’s amazing. That’s who I do research with as well. Amanda Nelson, for sure, 100%. I would also say Brian Merkel. I’m just very thankful to be in the position I’m in as commencement speaker. And all my professors who had faith in me. I think that’s pretty cool. I am very grateful about all the opportunities that UWGB provided me.”