Student found sense of community, feeling of home at ATSU-ASDOH in Mesa, Arizona
Posted: August 16, 2024
One of Morgan Kommer’s, D2, concerns as she pursued entry into dental school was adjusting to a larger academic environment. A graduate of Concordia College Moorhead with a major in biology and minor in chemistry, most of Kommer’s undergraduate classes had about 12 people.
“I was worried about going to dental school and not knowing my classmates and professors well,” she said.
All it took was her interview day at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) to put those concerns to rest.
“I felt very welcomed and at home,” the Fargo, North Dakota, native said. “I really wanted to have a sense of community like I did in college. I felt that immediately at ASDOH.”
Kommer has enjoyed her experience at ATSU-ASDOH so far, finding a school that truly cares about its students and provides ample opportunities to engage with the community.
“I really love going to ATSU and feel like I have a great school-life balance,” she said. “I like that ASDOH is pass/fail because I learn a lot, but I also have more time for the people and things that I love. One of my favorite events this year was Give Kids a Smile, where the D1 students got to dress up as any characters and play games with the kiddos and make them feel more comfortable (about going to the dentist).”
When she isn’t busy with course work, Kommer loves watching basketball (she played in college and coached girls basketball at her high school), particularly the Minnesota Timberwolves. She and her husband also enjoy staying active, doing things like CrossFit, running, hiking, and surfing. When they aren’t having fun at home with their dogs Banks and Berkley, they enjoy traveling and have a future trip planned to Greece.
On campus, Kommer is active with the American Student Dental Association and as a student ambassador.
“I became an ambassador because I love helping students that were in my position,” she said. “In college I had a hard time finding information on applying to dental school, pre-requisites, etc. My college was small and there was no nearby dental school, so there were not many pre-dental students or current dental students as a resource. I love being a resource for pre-dental students to ask any questions they may have.”
After completing her education, Kommer wants to become a general dentist, possibly owning her own practice either back home in North Dakota or near ATSU-ASDOH in Mesa, Arizona.
“ATSU will make me feel very equipped for this,” she said. “I love that we get to do external rotations because I think being in several different work settings will push me outside my comfort zone and help me grow.”