When it comes to her experience at the School of Dentistry, one thing sticks out above all others for Nicole Ivanova, DDS ’27: the people. Community has been a key factor in Ivanova’s education—one she’s enjoyed herself and helped to foster.
“It is an environment that fosters kindness at every level: faculty and peers are always willing to lend a helping hand,” Ivanova explained. “Being part of a community that values support over competition has been incredibly meaningful.”
That community is one of the reasons Ivanova chose the School of Dentistry—and it has inspired her to give back and create community with the classes that follow hers as a pre-clinical tutor. “It feels like a full-circle moment, because I get to share so many of the small tricks that I had to learn through trial and error myself,” she said. “I remember being in their shoes not that long ago, so it is especially rewarding to encourage them along the way.”
Ivanova has seen the impact of community care beyond the walls of Moos Tower, too—serving families like hers through Outreach. “I grew up in an immigrant family where access to dental care was not always straightforward,” she explained. “Langage barriers often meant that I had to help my parents navigate appointments and advocate for themselves. Those experiences made me realize how easily people can fall through the cracks and are a big part of why I have stayed involved in Outreach throughout dental school.”
It helps that Ivanova knows she’s not alone in her experience—and that the community she helps foster is one that is welcome to all. “My own path to dentistry has not always been linear, so it has been meaningful to be part of an environment where different perspectives are genuinely valued,” she explained.