As a Healthcare Administration major from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, graduating senior Adriana Eggen has not only led on campus as Student Government Association president, but she has also discovered a passion for public health and a drive to make healthcare systems more equitable and compassionate.
“Something about Bellarmine that really stood out to me was the community that you're surrounded by – not only your peers, but also your professors and all the staff members,” Adriana said. “There is not a moment where you're not going to feel supported. They'll really encourage you to be the best version of yourself.”
That encouragement has shaped her aspirations beyond graduation. Adriana plans to work in non-profit hospital administration, with a goal to promote quality care for those who lack a voice in the system.
“I want to be an advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves,” she said. “I want to work in upper healthcare administration to incorporate public health measures into our system and address social determinants and barriers to health access.”
Her time at Bellarmine included serving in a rigorous internship at Wesley Manor Retirement Community, giving her 913 hours of hands-on experience. “It was lovely being up close and personal and seeing all of these different aspects for a long time,” she said. “Sometimes working in administration, you can kind of feel a little bit disconnected from the numbers and stop realizing that they’re patients -- they’re people too.”
She also worked as a medical assistant at Bellarmine Health Services and served as an admissions associate while earning minors in Public Health and Psychology. Her campus involvement included Delta Sigma Pi, Alpha Lambda Delta, Dance Marathon and multiple other student organizations.
Adriana credits her profession for her interest in public health. She expressed gratitude to Dr. Mike Harlowe for revitalizing the healthcare administration program, and Dr. Lyndsey Blair and Dr. Madeline Tomlinson for sparking her interest in public health.
Bellarmine’s focus on personalized mentorship opportunities and leadership development helped Adriana grow into an aspiring changemaker. “Coming into Bellarmine, I did not think I would be able to be the leader that I am today,” she said. “Everybody wants you to reach that next level. They’re so encouraging and uplifting that you're going to go for it. You feel prepared. You feel like you can take on the world.”
Adriana’s transformation reflects the strength of Bellarmine’s career-focused model and community-centered education. According to the university’s latest outcomes report, 99% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of commencement, and 97% of those are working in their field of interest. Graduates also earn more on average than peers from other Kentucky institutions, with a 19% higher median income at the three-year mark for bachelor’s degrees. Learn more about the
outcomes associated with a degree from Bellarmine.
As she prepares for graduate school and a career in healthcare leadership, Adriana knows what she’ll miss most. “I think I am going to miss the connections that I've made along the way,” she said. “Every time I walk around campus, there are three or four people I say hi to. It’s motivating. It really is.”
She summarized her Bellarmine experience in three words: “passionate, meaningful and impactful.” And when speaking to her fellow Knights in the Class of 2025, she added: “We overcame challenges and did better. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Knight, surrounded by so many amazing people.”