Student Finds Confidence, Opportunities at College of Charleston

Bency Young knew she wanted to study medicine, but not exactly what expect. She also knew she wanted to study in state, but not in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

When she toured the College of Charleston School of Health Sciences and School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Young knew she found a place where she could explore different aspects of medicine and experience life in the Lowcountry.

Since coming to the College, the recipient of the Dr. Andrew and Josephine Lewis Endowed Scholarship has taken advantage of opportunities that helped strengthen her confidence and narrow her field of interest to a major in exercise science with a focus on physical therapy and a minor in neuroscience.

“Receiving the scholarship means the world to me,” says the senior. “It really motivated me to go for what I want.”

In going for what she wants, Young has taken advantage of opportunities both on and off campus.

On campus, since her first year, Young has been a mentor with Kids on Point, a Charleston-based nonprofit offering after-school, summer and weekend programming for students, starting in elementary school. She has worked with students on both the academic and athletic aspects of the program.

“I think Kids on Point is the perfect mix of my two passions: sports and children,” says Young, who is one of the organization’s longest serving volunteers and currently a lead mentor. She also is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, vice president of the Allied Health Alliance Club, an anatomy and physiology tutor in the the Center for Student Learning and a student ambassador for the and the School of Health Sciences.

All of Young’s activities have boosted her confidence, but it was Arjun Ramani, assistant professor of health and human performance, who helped push her further out of her comfort zone.

“Sometimes, I hold back on opportunities,” she says, “but Professor Ramani saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself.”

In spring 2024, Ramani recommended she apply to a clinical exercise internship at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute. She followed his suggestion and even landed the internship, but a housing kerfuffle meant she couldn’t attend. Still, the fact that she applied and got in meant the world to Ramani.

“Some of the best students are those that have capacity but lack courage,” says Ramani. “You just want to shake them and say, ‘Believe in yourself, darn you!’ It was my utmost pleasure to see Bency go from a student who looked down and mumbled through her conversations, to someone who looks up and truly tries to express herself. I will always be thankful to be even a minuscule influence on Bency, whom I have no doubt will go on to do amazing things that continuously surpass her potential.”

Since then, Young has pushed her boundaries. In the fall of 2024, Young began interning with ATI Physical Therapy in Mt. Pleasant and has been an observer at the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Health Physical and Occupational Therapy Leeds Clinic.

“At ATI, I work with a geriatric population with a focus on neuromuscular and musculoskeletal care. I also work with a younger population, focusing more on sports-related care,” explains Young. “I get to see the different roles the staff have and how they work as a team.”

While she had worked with exercise equipment in her class, Young saw machines being used by people who need them at ATI. And, at MUSC, she has had the opportunity to observe various specialties, such as sports, pediatrics, oncology, neurology, orthopedics and neonatal.

“My time with MUSC has given me hours of exposure to a whole different side of physical therapy,” she says. “What I have seen has inspired me to focus on pediatrics.”

With the experience she has gained, Young feels prepared to follow her passion and apply to physical therapy school. She is certain to make a positive impact on the patients she sees.