The Anatomy of a Leader: Lauryn Futrell’s Path to Medicine

When Lauryn Futrell ’26 first arrived at Queens University of Charlotte from Durham, North Carolina, she describes herself as a “silent leader.” Having attended City of Medicine Academy, a specialized high school focusing on pre-health, she arrived with an EMT certification and a head start in her pre-med studies.

“A friend recommended Queens to me because of its small class sizes,” said Futrell. “One of my professors told me I’d be a ‘big fish in a small pond’ here and that I’d thrive in this environment.”

Four years later, as Futrell prepares to take the stage as a commencement speaker and concludes her term as Student Government Association (SGA) president, the “small pond” has clearly felt like home.

Building a Legacy of Service

For Futrell, leadership isn’t just about a title; it’s about embodying the Queens motto, “Not to be served, but to serve.” She believes this mindset is woven into the fabric of the campus.

“It’s the little things that count when it comes to serving something bigger than yourself,” she says. That commitment to others has been the hallmark of her time at Queens. From teaching her peers CPR and life-saving tourniquet techniques with the Lifesavers Club to her work in the Black Student Union (BSU).

As SGA President, she provided thoughtful leadership during a time of transition, including navigating student sentiment during the university’s recent merger announcement and finalizing a long-awaited SGA constitution.

“Some students feel SGA can be performative, or they have expectations that get shot down,” Futrell said. “I’ve had to learn how to lead, how to manage expectations, and how to be an honest voice for students when talking to senior leadership.”

Amber Slack, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students, recalls how Futrell stepped up during the transition. “What sets Lauryn apart is that she leads from a place of inquiry and a genuine desire to understand,” said Slack. “She was pivotal in advocating for the student experience, always making sure concerns were raised and student voices were heard. She represents the very best of Queens. She is thoughtful, genuine, and committed to ensuring others feel seen.”

Despite her success, Futrell is candid about the obstacles she’s faced during college. She recalls a pivotal moment in chemistry class. Struggling with test anxiety, Futrell sat down for a “real talk” with her professor, Yvette Clifton, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry and general education.

“Dr. Clifton told me, ‘You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,'” she recalls. “She wasn’t going to let me fail, but I had to do my part. Ever since then, I’ve pushed myself outside my comfort zone, and every time I do, I see the results.”

The results of that effort were clear to Clifton, who saw resilience in her student. “Among Lauryn’s many qualities that I admire is her unwavering dedication to persevere — not just when circumstances become challenging, but even when everything seems to collapse around her,” said Clifton. “Her resilient spirit that carries her through hardship without surrendering beautifully complements the characteristics of a true Queens student.”

This growth-minded resilience served as the catalyst for Futrell to explore experiences far beyond the lab. That philosophy extended to her time spent in Portugal with a study abroad opportunity coordinated through the John Belk International Program (JBIP). Though she is a health science major, she spent some time last May studying interior architecture and ceramics. “I was able to tie it back to medicine and learning about different cultures,” she says. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The Future of Futrell

Futrell’s commitment to service is perhaps most visible in her work as a volunteer with the Special Olympics of North Carolina and her tenure as an EMT. She thrives in the high-stakes, fast-paced environment of emergency medicine.

“I like the fast-paced nature of it all,” she said. “I like helping people and knowing that I can be a face someone trusts in a doctor’s office. Representation matters.”

Following graduation, Futrell is returning to Durham to work as an EMT while preparing for the MCAT. Her ultimate goal? Becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

Advice for the Next Generation

As she looks toward the 167th Commencement Ceremony, Futrell reflects on her mother’s influence—a breast cancer survivor who modeled resilience and a deep commitment to education. It was her mother who instilled in her the discipline to keep pushing when things got difficult.

“My mom is a very strong backbone in my life,” Futrell says. “She always told me: ‘I can’t want anything more than you want it for yourself.’ That really pushes me to be the best I can be and to stay motivated even when the path is hard.”

For the incoming first-year students who might be as hesitant as she once was, Futrell has a simple message: “Take the risk!”

“Queens is a place to expand your horizons,” she says. “If you want to be an athlete, you can. If you’re a medical student who wants to take a ceramics class, you can. It’s a place where you can learn to be a global learner and find the confidence to say, ‘I can, and I do.'”