Maya Clay
— By Bailey Durfey, M.A. Higher Education, class of 2023
The start to Maya Gaberil Clay’s college journey was a bit different. After graduating high school in May 2019, Maya was packing up to attend basic training starting her military career while others prepared to start college. After returning to her hometown of Louisville, MS, from basic training, Maya recounts being home for 14 days until the world essentially shut down from Covid-19. However, this did not stop Maya from beginning her college career. Maya began summer school classes that following June and has been in school ever since working for her degree in Allied Health.
Maya’s father is a big part of why she is passionate about becoming a nurse. Maya remembers in detail how nurses made a large impact on her experience with her father’s illness. They always took the time to comfort and explain anything to her family about how her father was being treated. Prior to his death, her father always wanted Maya to open her own clinic and finish her degree. She is determined to fulfill his wishes. Maya also revealed that kidney disease and hypertension runs in her family, so she says, “If I can advocate for someone, help find a cure, help make people feel better, or educate someone,” on these impactful diseases, then she will feel satisfied with her medical career.
In addition to passion for family, Maya has a passion for taking care of our troops. Whether on the battlefield or home front, caring for our troops so they can get back to their families motivates Maya to serve as a medic for the National Guard.
After attending the MOST conference at the University of Mississippi, Maya realized that Ole Miss was her place. After being asked why she loves the University, Maya explains, “Ole Miss is home. The people here really take care of you.” Her involvement with Grove Scholars not only provided her with a community, but is also helping her finish her degree earlier than anticipated. She stated that the continued support of Dr. Flora has made a large impact on her and allowed her to make connections that are helping her achieve her goals.
Along with being a Grove Scholar, Maya is involved in many on and off campus organizations. She is a member of Esteem and the UM pre-nursing society. She holds positions as the membership recruitment and retention co-director for the Black Student Union, the standards chair for the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir and the treasurer for the Student Veterans Association.
After finishing her degree, Maya hopes to attend nursing school and one day open her own clinic. She wants to open free clinics in rural areas of Mississippi to provide healthcare for people who need it the most. Maya is enthusiastic to begin her healthcare career and plans to live by this quote as she works towards her goals, “Help as many people you can, in every way you can, while you can.”
