Macie Peterson
Student, Class of 2024
Program
Hometown
North Bend, Oregon
peterson_macie

Extracurricular Activities

In my free time, I enjoy hiking along the Oregon coast beaches and trails, going on walks, paddle boarding amongst various lakes, babysitting, and creating art.

A Little Bit About Me

I have grown up on the Oregon coast my entire life. I was born and raised in a small town called North Bend, Oregon, which is where the majority of my family is located. In my free time, I enjoy going to our local beaches, here on the Oregon coast, and hiking. I have three sisters who are all younger than me, to who I wish to be a mentor and a role model. In regard to my educational career thus far, I’m proud to say that I’ve successfully completed two years in Oregon Tech’s Dental Hygiene Program while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This program and the attending staff are exceptional, and I consider myself fortunate to be able to attend.

Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major

A career in dental hygiene piqued my interest ever since I was a little girl who loved going to the dentist. I chose Oregon Tech because it offers a unique three-year dental hygiene program that allows its students to receive their bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, which will allow me to adventure outside of clinical hygiene, such as working in education, public health, business, or research fields.

My Influential Professors

Paula Hendrix immediately comes to my mind when I think of influential professors. Paula goes above and beyond to ensure her students have learned and grasped the course material. Every day Paula engages each student’s attention and keeps the lecture material interesting and intriguing, such as offering hands-on activities during class hours. Paula is always there to lend a helping hand, where she dives in-depth into the lecture material, especially if a student has a question. Moreover, Paula has greatly influenced and impacted my learning experience during my time spent in Oregon Tech's Dental Hygiene Program.

My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech

My greatest learning experience at Oregon Tech thus far has been being able to provide patient care during clinical hours. Being able to walk my patients through the process of care, improving their oral health, educating them, and having them be so grateful in return is a heartwarming experience that I’ve loved being involved with. My learning experience at Oregon Tech has shown me a glimpse of what my future career will look like on a day-to-day basis, which I’m excited to embark on in the upcoming years.

My Plans After Graduation

In the years following my completion at Oregon Tech’s Dental Hygiene Program, I wish to work in an office setting where I can gain more experience and build relationships with my patients. Following those years of experience, I plan on opening my own dental hygiene practice, in which I will practice as an Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner so that I can see my own patients and serve the needs of those who cannot always access a dentist.