Finding Greatness: Kelli Roland

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, October 18, 2021 12:00 AM
Categories: Finding Greatness | School of Health and Natural Sciences | Students | Pressroom

Macon, GA

Inspired by family members who have heroically dealt with respiratory illnesses, Kelli Roland enrolled in MGA’s respiratory therapy degree program and took on multiple student leadership roles.

Full Name: Kelli Roland.

Age: 30.

Hometown & Residence: Macon.

Family: “I have a large family so I have a lot of support, but I want to mention my parents, James and Becky Wright, and my kids, Alli, William, and Holli Roland. I couldn’t have done this without their support!”  

Employment: Full-time respiratory assistant at Houston Medical Center.

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy.

Class Rank: Senior.

Primary Campus: Macon.

Activities: “I am the secretary for the Middle Georgia Respiratory Education Action Team. I have an active American Association for Respiratory Care and Georgia Society for Respiratory Care membership. I attended the GSRC spring forum. I have also been selected to participate in the AARC’s House of Delegates student mentorship program.”

Career Goals: “Once I graduate I plan to work at a hospital in the Atlanta area as a respiratory therapist. My son and my sister are truly my inspiration. My sister has cystic fibrosis and had a double lung transplant 5 years ago and is like a poster child for transplant patients. She has done so well! My son was born premature and had several respiratory complications. He had multiple procedures and surgeries and now only has asthma, but he manages it better than most adults! They are my heroes!”

She chose Middle Georgia State University because … “It’s affordable, close to home, and has such a great reputation for the success of the respiratory therapy program.”

The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “The sense of family that I have gained with my cohort and the professors’ willingness to help students any way that they can. I really couldn’t have asked for better professors.”

Her greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been …"Becoming so actively involved with all aspects of the respiratory therapy program, from being the MGREAT secretary to participating in simlab showcases for several community and university leaders."  

To her, “greatness” means … “Maintaining a positive attitude in any situation and always striving to do your best no matter what obstacles come your way.”

In five years … “I plan to be working as a respiratory therapist while continuing my education to obtain my Advanced Practitioner of Respiratory Therapy degree.”