Katsiaryna Pleshankova

PROFILE: For as long as she can remember, Katsiaryna “Katsia” Pleshankova wanted to be a doctor.   A self-described “Chernobyl child,” she grew up in Belarus. She was three and lived within range of the radioactive fallout during the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident.   Her resilience in surviving the disaster is matched by her desire to survive and succeed in America. Katsia arrived in the US at age 20 with only a few dollars in her pocket and worse, could not speak English. Still, she got right to work on her American dream. After a round-about journey, she landed in upstate New York, worked her way through community college, and learned English along the way. Katsia met each challenge head-on, and each test made her stronger. Her distant goal of medical school came closer and closer to reality. “I learned that by giving all your strength and persistence, you can achieve any goal that you set in front of you. I managed to be a successful student while juggling work, home responsibilities, campus involvement, and community service. It made my everyday life challenging, but at the same time diverse and enriching.” 

INSPIRATION: Katsia’s childhood dream of becoming a physician was nurtured along the way by Monroe Community College Advisor Jodi Oriel, whom she met through her membership in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Ms. Oriel, there for Katsia during times of trouble and doubt, told her not to let go of her dreams. She was also the person who encouraged Katsia to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

ASPIRATION: Katsia wants to be a medical doctor, but there is so much more to her goal. Between Point A (Belarus) and Point B (Rochester, NY), there have been hundreds of people—strangers even—that have helped bring Katsia closer to her dream. She hopes to repay the kindness of so many by becoming a doctor and providing aid and comfort wherever and whenever possible.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Three years ago, Katsia began volunteering as a tutor at Saint’s Place, a Monroe County organization run by the Catholic Family Center. It assists refugees arriving in the United States from war-torn countries. Katsia not only tutored refugees in English, but “having been there, done that,” she also was able to provide emotional support and an example to the refugees that they could survive and succeed in their new world. Katsia also began a permanent program at the University of Rochester where undergraduates regularly help at Saint’s Place.

ACCOLADES: In addition to being named Phi Theta Kappa while at Monroe Community College, Katsia was awarded a State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence. At her graduation in the spring of 2010, she was the Chief Student Marshall. 

INTERESTING FACT: Although she loves to bake, Katsia despises chocolate. “Most people find that weird, if not disturbing.”