For Emily Ballard, graduation day is the first leg of her drive to become a medical professional. She’ll be among Virginia Peninsula Community College students celebrated during the 2026 Commencement on May 14.
Ballard is set to receive an associate degree in health sciences at the 2 p.m. graduation ceremony at the Hampton Coliseum.
She spent this final year at VPCC serving as an embedded peer tutor in chemistry, working directly inside the classroom. As students tackle practice problems, she circulates through the room the last 30 minutes of class, answering questions and offering guidance in real time. Ballard also tutors in the College’s Tutoring Center, where she provides support in writing and physiology.
Her first-hand student experience shaped her approach. Ballard was right there alongside her classmates, asking questions and breaking down complex lessons into manageable steps.
“As a peer tutor, I’m able to offer a fresh, relatable perspective in helping students,” she said. “It often has been a long time since professors have been students themselves. It’s great to have someone alongside you who gets exactly what you’re going through.”
She began tutoring during her second year at VPCC. In her view, it goes beyond academic support. She connects with students, reminding them practicing skills is vital to building knowledge and confidence.
She said playing a role in her peers’ growth has been rewarding. That’s especially true when she sees students surpass their individual expectations, gain confidence and apply new strategies and concepts as she works with them.
“Just helping point out to students that showing up and pushing through when it gets hard and reaching out for help when it’s needed are skills that will help them succeed in other areas of life is definitely super rewarding to be a part of that,” she enthused.
Ballard, who was homeschooled, spent her senior year of high school in VPCC’s Dual Enrollment program. The lifelong Newport News resident enrolled at the College in 2024 after finishing high school. That early exposure to VPCC made her choice a no-brainer. Affordability was also a factor.
“I wanted to avoid having student loans at all costs. I had a little bit of experience at VPCC and had such a positive experience being a dual enrollment student, I just knew it would be the best decision,” she said.
In addition, staying close to home allowed Ballard to manage a medical condition she’s endured since high school. She said access to consistent medical care made a difference, and the experience influenced her career goals.
She splits her time between studies and her job as a medical scribe in a local emergency department. The role involves documenting patient encounters and observing physicians in real time.
“I take notes for the doctors so the doctor can focus solely on helping the patient without worrying about multitasking. I also complete the patient chart for the visit because it saves time for the doctors. Therefore, it helps (doctors) see more patients, which is super important in an emergency setting,” explained Ballard, noting shadowing doctors in a fast-paced real-world setting is an added benefit since she aspires to that career.
Balancing full-time classes, part-time work and tutoring responsibilities requires discipline. Her time management includes prioritizing rest, early mornings and laser-focused study habits. She’s most proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“When you’re really passionate about something, it’s easy to make time for that and set your priorities to balance everything,” she asserted, noting she often starts her day at 5 a.m. and doesn’t mind passing on outings and activities with friends or family when necessary.
Her academic performance and diligence stood out to chemistry professor Lucinda Spryn. The longtime VPCC faculty member said she’s a “valuable presence in the classroom” and described Ballard as knowledgeable and approachable.
“Her consistent achievement and strong work ethic,” said Spryn, “make her an example of the College’s mission in action.”
Looking ahead, Ballard plans to transfer. She’s considering James Madison University or Virginia Tech to study dietetics as a pathway to her goal of entering medical school. Her interests are tied to the connection between nutrition and overall health.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how food and nutrients are essentially medicine for our bodies,” she explained. “Nutrition is an integral part of our body’s functioning, healing and thriving.”
“So, due to my growing love for learning about health and medicine as well as my personal journey dealing with chronic injury and chronic pain, my dream career changed from clinical dietitian to becoming a medical doctor,” Ballard added.
As graduation day approaches, Ballard reflects on lessons that shaped her time at VPCC and ones she’ll carry into her next phase: embrace the learning process, learn from failure and fully invest in the work at hand.
