Gardner-Webb Alumni Pursuing Dentistry and Medical Degrees at Highly Competitive N.C. School 

Natural Sciences Faculty Prepared Dr. Josh McKoy, Haley Pierce and Ulises Martinez-Ceballos for Success

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Two recent alumni from Gardner-Webb University’s Department of Natural Sciences are among a select group of students enrolled at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry. The acceptance rate for the competitive program is 5.9%. A third alumnus, Dr. Josh McKoy, is pursuing a MD in maxillofacial surgery at the UNC-School of Medicine, where the acceptance rate is 2.7%.

McKoy is in his second year of the six-year program at UNC. He graduated from GWU in 2018 with a degree in biology, biomedical concentration, and earned his DDS from Virginia Commonwealth University.

With her first year of dental school behind her, Haley Pierce, ’21, sees patients in the student clinic for dental cleanings and simple restorative procedures. Ulises Martinez-Ceballos, ’22, is set to begin the clinical phase of his studies, which means he will see patients most of the time. Both also graduated from Gardner-Webb with degrees in biology, biomedical concentration.

Pierce praised the Gardner-Webb faculty for providing a solid academic background for her success in dental school. “I had a good foundation of biomedical science, chemistry, and organic chemistry knowledge,” she affirmed. “GWU also provided me with a wonderful support system by giving me lifelong friends and professors who always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.”

Besides the academic growth, Pierce said that Gardner-Webb’s Christian community enriched her faith, which has helped her navigate the pressures of dental school. “Graduate school is very challenging and can be very draining at times, but my personal relationship with Jesus that I developed while at GWU has allowed me to remain grateful, joyous, and faithful throughout this journey and season of life,” Pierce reflected. “Learning science from a biblical perspective as well as my Old Testament and New Testament courses helped me establish my own beliefs and provided me with the foundation to pursue an education at a secular school while maintaining focus on Christ.”

Martinez-Ceballos, a first-generation student, also expressed his appreciation for how the Gardner-Webb faculty and staff impacted his personal and academic growth. “A big way that GWU prepared me for dental school was by allowing me to gain a deep understanding of my courses through small class sizes and devoted instructors,” he noted. “The academic environment was filled with passionate teachers and students eager to learn, making my education enjoyable while providing a solid foundation for dental school.”

Further, he developed interpersonal skills while serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) at Gardner-Webb. “Being a TA for several classes, such as organic chemistry and general biology, taught me organization and leadership skills that I use every day in dental school, whether it’s managing patient care, studying for exams, or working in lab with classmates,” Martinez-Ceballos observed. “It also gave me the chance to strengthen my communication skills by explaining concepts to students and working with faculty, which directly translates to patient interactions and collaboration in clinic. Most importantly, being a TA taught me how to balance responsibility and academics, a skill that is crucial in the busy environment of dental school.”

Through his participation in volunteer opportunities like the Honors Society Enchanted Forest—a free event at Broad River Greenway that introduces young children and their parents to nocturnal animals—Martinez-Ceballos learned the value of serving others. “This focus on service at GWU prepared me to continue striving to serve my community in dental school through the many student-led free clinics we have at UNC,” he shared. “These experiences helped me see how dentistry is not just about treating teeth but about serving people and addressing community needs, which was a mindset I began developing at Gardner-Webb.”

Source: Leland, a career coaching network.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.