Giving Students a Glimpse of Their Future: Zag for a Day at Gonzaga
The Center for Community Engagement welcomed 15 students from North Central and Rogers High School for a healthcare-focused Zag for a Day experience on Gonzaga’s campus, an immersive opportunity designed to help students explore college pathways while envisioning futures in healthcare careers.
More than a campus visit, Zag for a Day is intended to connect students with real experiences, real people, and real possibilities. This year’s program focused specifically on healthcare, offering students a deeper look into what it means to pursue careers in fields like medicine, nursing, and emergency care.
Throughout the day, students engaged directly with current learners and professionals. A panel featuring University of Washington School of Medicine–Gonzaga University Health Partnership medical students, alongside Gonzaga undergraduate EMT and nursing students, gave participants the chance to ask questions, hear personal stories, and better understand the variety of paths into healthcare. For many, it was the first time they had been able to speak so candidly with people currently navigating those journeys.
The experience extended far beyond conversation. Students participated in a hands-on ultrasound clinic where they practiced skills and saw medical technology in action, an opportunity that brought classroom concepts to life in a tangible way. They also toured Gonzaga’s simulation lab and the Tilford Center, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into how healthcare students are trained through realistic, high-impact learning environments.
These moments of hands-on engagement and exposure are what set Zag for a Day apart. By stepping into spaces where learning happens and interacting with those already on the path, students begin to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality.
The program was thoughtfully planned with input from campus and community partners, including the efforts of AmeriCorps member Averie, who helped coordinate the day’s structure and experiences. Reflecting on the purpose behind the event, Averie shared that Zag for a Day is “a place for students from our community to explore on a deeper level what it’s like to attend Gonzaga and to better see themselves there and feel more confident about that pathway.”
That sense of belonging and possibility was evident by the end of the visit. Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many leaving campus feeling energized and more confident about their futures. For some, the day helped solidify an interest in healthcare while for others it opened doors to opportunities they had not previously considered.
Programs like Zag for a Day play an important role in expanding access and awareness, particularly for students who may be the first in their families to consider college or who have had limited exposure to healthcare careers. By combining mentorship, hands-on learning, and honest conversation, the experience helps students not only imagine their future but begin to see a clear path toward it.
Gonzaga looks forward to continuing to grow Zag for a Day and create more opportunities that inspire students to pursue higher education and careers in healthcare.