Graduation Spotlight: Liyah Jones

Liyah Jones is just getting started. This month she will receive a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the College of Health and Human Services and will be right back to start phase two of her academic journey to a career in dermatology.

“I’ve always wanted to go into medicine,” Jones said. “And the fact that there’s not a lot of cultural disparity in dermatology made me want to go into that field specifically.”

She will return to campus next semester as a biology major to complete prerequisites before applying for a physician’s assistant program. She knows she has a long road ahead of her but is up for the challenge. After all, she’s been a competitor for more than 10 years.  

As a hurdler, Jones attended UNC Charlotte on a partial athletic scholarship. She has just one more semester of eligibility left and then it’s time to hang up her cleats, she said. “Sports have been a part of my life forever, but I’ve done my time. I’m fulfilled.”

Her impressive collegiate hurdling career, however, almost didn’t happen. During her sophomore year in high school, she was sidelined with a serious ACL injury after clipping a hurdle. After a year of extensive physical therapy, she was able to return to the track.        

Jones is proud of her athletic accomplishments at UNC Charlotte. “The women’s track and field team has won three championships while I’ve been here. Winning conference championships has been impactful,” she said.

She’s currently the president of the Charlotte 49ers Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and last year served as the group’s engagement officer. “Leadership has been the biggest thing for me,” Jones said. “I really enjoy having leadership positions.”

In addition to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Jones was a member of the Student Alumni Society (formerly the Student Ambassador Program) and served as marketing chair for two years.   

 She feels her college experience helped mold her into a leader.

“Maybe it was something that was always in me, but I didn’t know until I took opportunities and stepped outside my box,” Jones said. “I’ve done so much more than I ever thought I would ever do.”