One Class Changed Everything

Today, Derek Esty is a medical student at Michigan State University, looking forward to helping patients full time. A class at Jackson College with Professor Matt Badtke helped him find his calling and confidence.

While attending Tecumseh High School, Esty faced obstacles he felt limited his potential. After graduating in 2011, he became a nursing assistant and fell in love with caring for people. A couple
of years later, he enrolled at Jackson College’s Lenawee campus. A microbiology course with Professor Badtke — one he was wary of — became a turning point.

“He (Badtke) was a great mentor; the relationship I formed with him was very transformative,” Esty said. “He helped me have more confidence in myself as a student and set me on a new path.”

Their mentoring relationship grew, with Badtke recognizing Esty’s potential. After that semester, Esty received a Student Excellence Award in the very class he’d doubted — an unexpected honor.

“It made me feel very capable and recognized,” he recalls.

Badtke stayed in touch, later encouraging Esty to apply for a community college research fellowship at the University of Michigan. Esty applied, completed the fellowship in 2014, and transferred to U-M. He studied humanities on a pre-med track but missed Jackson College’s small, supportive campus.

Through his journey, Esty traveled abroad, including four trips to Peru to work with the educational nonprofit Superlearner. Again, the opportunity to build relationships with Peruvian families held a special place for him, as he watched youngsters grow and develop.

He returned to finish pre-medicine and is now in his second year at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“It’s been quite a journey. But I want people to know that life may take different courses — don’t let that limit your possibilities. I appreciate the relationships I formed at Jackson College and how accessible the professors were. That support has stayed with me.”

“I appreciate all the relationships I formed at Jackson College with my professors and how accessible they were. That supportive feeling has stayed with me.”