“Watch Me”: How Stephens Helped Sydney Henry ’22 Find Her Voice — and Her Calling
From last-minute leap of faith to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
When Sydney Henry ’22 looks back at the moment that changed her life, it didn’t happen in a lab or a lecture hall.
It happened at her kitchen table.
“I had already committed to play collegiate volleyball somewhere else,” she says. “It had been a long-time dream of mine. But as graduation approached, I felt increasingly anxious and disconnected from the path I had chosen.”
Then, just one month before high school graduation, Stephens College reached out.
“I felt an immediate and unexpected pull,” Sydney recalls. “I started researching Stephens on my own. Behind the scenes, I was advocating for myself and even negotiating financial aid to match the offer I’d already accepted.”
There was just one problem: she hadn’t told her parents.
“I was terrified. I had already signed paperwork at another institution.”
When a Stephens mailing arrived at their home, the conversation she had been avoiding became unavoidable.
“I sat down with my parents and explained that I had followed my instincts, done the research, and taken ownership of my decision,” she says. “Instead of being upset, they cried. They told me they were proud of me for trusting myself and following my heart.”
That moment, she says, set the tone for everything that followed.
“It was the first time I truly advocated for my future.”
Finding Her Path — and Her Confidence
Sydney didn’t arrive at Stephens as a future veterinarian. In fact, she began as a graphic design major.
“That path quickly proved to be misaligned with my long-term goals,” she says. “What stands out most is the overwhelming support I received when I expressed uncertainty. I was never judged for not having all the answers. No one told me it was ‘too late’ to change direction.”
Instead, she was encouraged to explore — and to trust herself again.
When she transitioned into the Biology program, she felt behind her peers.
“I was stepping into an established academic community and thought I was playing catch-up,” she admits. “But faculty and students welcomed me, helped me catch up, and supported my growth. That experience taught me perseverance and adaptability — lessons I rely on every day in veterinary school.”
Today, Sydney is preparing to graduate from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She credits Stephens with laying the academic and personal foundation that made that possible.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
At Stephens, Sydney immersed herself in research, including collaborating alongside veterinary students at the University of Missouri.
“That experience strengthened my scientific foundation and helped me stand out as an applicant,” she says. “It also gave me early exposure to the realities of veterinary training.”
She built relationships with Mizzou mentors and veterinary students, expanding her professional network long before applying to vet school.
“Stephens created an environment where building professional relationships was encouraged. Veterinary faculty and professionals were always willing to answer questions, offer guidance, and give honest feedback.”
Presenting her research at the Spring Health Sciences Conference became a turning point.
“As an undergraduate, designing a research project, analyzing original findings, and presenting that work in a professional setting was incredibly meaningful,” she says. “It strengthened my graduate school application — but more importantly, it strengthened my confidence.”
That experience shifted how she saw herself.
“It helped me see myself not just as a student, but as a future professional capable of making meaningful contributions to the field.”
From Doubt to “Watch Me”
Sydney is candid about the self-doubt she carried into college.
“I was not the straight-A student in high school. I didn’t have exceptional standardized test scores,” she says. “For a long time, I felt less confident than peers who were labeled as naturally gifted. I questioned whether pursuing a doctorate was realistic for me.”
She was also hesitant to ask for help.
“I was afraid of being told I wasn’t capable or ‘smart enough.’”
Stephens changed that narrative.
“The encouragement and belief I received from my mentors helped me unlearn those doubts. Their willingness to invest in me made me feel supported rather than judged.”
Slowly, the internal voice that once said “you can’t do it” transformed into something stronger.
“What once felt like doubt became a defining source of motivation,” she says. “It pushed me forward with a clear and confident ‘watch me.’”
Building Something That Lasts
Sydney didn’t just take advantage of opportunities — she created them.
When she proposed starting a pre-veterinary club, the response was immediate.
“From the moment I brought up the idea, faculty and staff were enthusiastic and eager to help,” she says.
What began as a small group quickly grew into a meaningful program connecting Stephens students with Mizzou’s veterinary school through seminars, research opportunities, and fundraisers. The College also expanded veterinary-focused coursework, including a companion animal class taught by practicing veterinarian Dr. Melissa Boldan.
“Having instruction from someone actively working in the field was invaluable,” Sydney says. “It solidified my readiness for veterinary school.”
Today, the pre-veterinary program she helped build continues to support future Stephens students.
“Knowing that something I helped create continues to open doors for other Stephens women is one of my proudest accomplishments.”
A Community That Shows Up
Stephens’ mentorship extended beyond academics.
When Sydney applied to veterinary school, then President Dianne Lynch helped refine her personal essays and wrote a letter of recommendation.
“Years earlier, I would never have had the confidence to ask for that level of support,” Sydney says. “By that point, Stephens had taught me that my goals were valid and that my voice mattered.”
As she nears completion of veterinary school, she recognizes how much of who she is was shaped in Columbia.
“Resilience, confidence, empathy, professionalism, kindness, community — those were formed at Stephens,” she says. “Stephens was where I found myself. It’s where I grew into the woman I knew I wanted to become.”
Her Message to Future Stephens Women
To students considering a future in veterinary medicine — or any health science field — Sydney’s advice is simple:
“Believe in yourself and don’t underestimate what you’re capable of achieving.”
She encourages students to ask questions, seek mentorship, and embrace change.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, change direction, or try something new. Growth comes from curiosity, courage, and persistence.”
She never imagined she would become one of the first women from Stephens to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
“That possibility became reality because I was encouraged to dream bigger than I thought was allowed,” she says.
And to those who feel that unexpected pull toward Stephens?
“Trust it. There’s a reason you were drawn here,” Sydney says. “You belong here, and your life is about to change in ways you can’t yet imagine. Stephens may be a small campus, but it has a powerful network of women who are deeply proud and eager to support you.”
After all, trusting that pull once changed her life.
And this time, she listened.
