Jan 29, 2026
How one student’s tutoring support is strengthening MLS success
Jenna Carter doesn’t just tutor fellow Medical Laboratory Sciences students to help them study; it’s about making the program she loves feel a little more connected and supportive.
Originally from Ashburn, Carter began studying chemistry at VCU in 2020 before changing her major to biology. However, after several years that included a gap year, she decided to pursue something more specialized. “My dentist told me one day, ‘You can’t really do anything with a biology degree,’” she said. “MLS felt like exactly what I had wanted to do. It’s been the most perfect fit for me.”
After pivoting, Carter – now a senior – realized MLS was structured much differently than her previous courses of study. Following two years’ worth of prerequisite courses, juniors beginning their MLS-specific curriculum take on considerable workloads – more than 18 credit hours each semester. “It was kind of a shock to my system,” she said. “I didn’t have good study habits before entering MLS, but they’ve been critical to my success, so I wanted to help others adjust any way I could.”
Carter serves as the department’s sole tutor, helping students succeed in their classroom-based studies. Though she offers occasional one-on-one sessions, group study opportunities are more common. She has introduced supplemental instruction to the program, conducting interactive sessions before exams to give students a chance to review material in creative ways.
“I usually have about four to eight students who come to them to review key content,” Carter said. “We’ll make games out of it. For example, we play bingo in a way that helps the attendees prepare for a urinalysis exam.” (She credits that particular idea to one of her instructors, Elizabeth VonCanon.)
Despite her packed schedule – she’s also a student worker in VCU Health’s Department of Pathology – Carter finds deep satisfaction in the tutoring role. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Faculty often share that students who attend her sessions perform better on exams.
While Carter downplays the praise, she recognizes the ripple effect. “It makes me happy to know I was going through the same thing as other beginning MLS students and now get to help them through the program,” she said.
As graduation nears, Carter isn’t sure what’s next, though she’s keeping her options open. “I really love the work that I do, and I think it’s made me realize that I’m capable of a lot more than I ever thought I was,” she said. “Now I’m considering things like medical school or getting my Ph.D. I’ll probably go for my master’s degree next, but I’m not 100% sure yet.”