Keep Chelsea at Howard: Future Surgeon & Figure Skater

Hi everyone,

My name is Chelsea McIsaac, a proud rising sophomore majoring in Biology at the illustrious Howard University, originally from Los Angeles, California. Growing up in the City of Angels, I’ve carried a mission in my heart that continues to fuel everything I do: to become the first cardiothoracic or neurosurgeon in my family and to one day open a medical clinic in L.A. that provides accessible healthcare to underserved communities.

Attending Howard has truly been the best decision I’ve ever made. Being surrounded by students who share the same drive, passion, and purpose, while uplifting one another along the way, is the very definition of Black excellence. My first year at Howard was both transformative and affirming. I maintained a 3.8 GPA while taking rigorous courses on the pre-med track, and I committed to building a legacy of leadership beyond the classroom.

Outside of academics, I found community and purpose as a member of Howard’s Figure Skating Team, the first-ever HBCU figure skating team. As someone who has been skating for over 10 years, I know the importance of visibility in a sport where diversity is often lacking. Now serving as the team’s Vice President, I’m dedicated to increasing awareness around Black and Brown representation in figure skating and continuing the legacy started by Maya James and Cheyenne Walker.

Coming from a single-parent household, I’ve always carried the responsibility of being a role model for my younger siblings and cousins. I strive every day to be the person they look up to, the one who proves that where you come from doesn’t determine how far you can go. I didn’t grow up knowing about HBCUs, but after visiting Tuskegee and Prairie View, I knew that an HBCU was where I belonged, and more specifically, that Howard was calling my name.

I want to be the superhero in my family’s story. The person my siblings write about when asked who inspires them. I want to break generational curses and serve as a living reminder that your past does not define your future. I want to be the doctor who saves lives and restores hope, and I know that journey starts with education.

However, despite my deep commitment to academic and personal excellence, I’m currently facing significant financial hardship. With tuition increases and limited financial aid, I am struggling to secure the funds I need to remain at Howard. After applying for countless scholarships and receiving no awards, I am reaching out to my community and my village for support.

Any contribution, no matter the size, is an investment not only in my education but in the 5-year-old girl who dreamed of becoming a surgeon, the teenager who pledged to give back to her community, and the young woman today determined to create change. I believe I was meant to be at Howard. I refuse to give up. And with your support, I won’t have to.

Thank you for believing in my journey.

With love and gratitude,

Chelsea McIsaac