Whenever Paul Zgurzynski thinks of his time at UConn, he says he’ll remember the instances when he worked as part of team.

From the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team to group projects in the School of Nursing, the value of teamwork is one of those skills that Zgurzynski says he honed at UConn and will carry with him for the rest of his life as he first moves into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and later into a civilian career.

Why did you choose UConn?

I chose UConn because it was the right fit for me. It had the program of study I wanted. It was a large, centralized campus. It was the right distance from home, and it is slightly rural, as I enjoy being outdoors. UConn is a big school, and I knew a big school would have lots of opportunities and I would always find what is right for me.

What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

My academic major is nursing, and I also participated in Army ROTC while here at UConn. I am going to commission into the Army as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps upon graduation. I have always known I want to live a life of selfless service to others. Pairing medical service and military service here at UConn allows me to pursue this goal. I look to deliver the highest quality care to our military men, women, their families, and veterans at the times they need it most. Additionally, this background in military service and being a medical professional will allow me to serve my community after my military service.

Did you have a favorite professor or class?

I am so thankful to all the professors, clinical instructors, and simulation instructors in the Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing. I particularly enjoyed all my core nursing classes (medical surgical, behavioral health, OB/women’s health, and pediatric classes). In all of these classes, I learned so much. I would say my favorite was my med-surg class, NURS 3664 Theory and Nursing Practice for Acutely Ill Adults. This is my passion, and I look to pursue critical care and work in an acute-care setting. Additionally, Dawn Sarage did an outstanding job of organizing and teaching the class. At all my clinical rotations and in my future work, I know I will use the skills and encounter the topics that I have learned in this class.

What activities were you involved in as a student?

I was involved in a variety of activities at UConn. During my time here, I have been heavily involved in Army ROTC. I have been a member of the competitive Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team that competes against other ROTC programs in New England. It involves rigorous physical training and expertise in a variety of military skills. The team trains five days a week, with practices very early in the morning before classes. Additionally, I have held leadership roles within the ROTC program, helping to support volunteering and recruitment activities.

What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

One thing that surprised me about UConn was how big some of the classes were. I remember attending some of my first lectures freshman year and was shocked to see how big the lecture hall was. This was definitely an adjustment, and a lesson that I had to learn is that you must advocate for yourself. All classes and teachers at UConn have lots to offer, like office hours, supplemental instruction, and other resources. As a student, it is your responsibility to go and pursue those. Never get overwhelmed by the size of a class, and always advocate for yourself to get the support that you need. All faculty here at UConn will help support you, and there are numerous opportunities to help you succeed.

What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

After graduation and my commissioning as an Army officer, I will go into the Army Nurse Corps, where I plan to pursue critical care or emergency room nursing to become a flight nurse and serve in forward medical support units in the United States Army. After my military service, I plan to pursue an advanced nursing degree. I plan to continue to volunteer within my community and work to support humanitarian efforts.

How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

UConn has absolutely prepared me for the next chapter of my life. I feel very prepared to pursue my ambitions. The School of Nursing has instilled in me the values of a best-practicing nurse, made me a competent health care worker, and given me the tools to understand others and create change. The UConn Army ROTC program has given me extensive leadership training and the confidence to lead others and uphold all the Army values. I am so grateful to all the people who have contributed to my success.

Any advice for incoming students?

Some advice for incoming students is to try everything that you can. UConn has so much to offer, but time passes quickly. The more you try, the more you’ll learn, and the more great people you will meet. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things. Also, go to some basketball games, we are so lucky to have great athletics here.

What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

One thing that everyone should do at UConn is get outside to walk the farm and hike up Horsebarn Hill to watch the sunset. The UConn Forest has great hiking and nature trails that all students should take advantage of.

What will always make you think of UConn?

The value of teamwork will always make me think of UConn. In my education, I have learned to become an effective team member and how to lead a team working together to create change. This is something that I will always value as I continue my career. I will always be reminded of all the skills UConn has given me and all the mentors that taught me so much.