Joshua Chandler ’23, whose compelling story was featured on the cover of Plymouth Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue, was named the 2022 College Student of the Year by Stay Work Play.
Chandler is pursuing a dual degree in cell and molecular biology and psychology, with minors in chemistry and neuroscience, and hopes to become a physician assistant. Most recently, he has been working with Biology Professor Chris Chabot on research involving horseshoe crabs and the genes that regulate their circadian rhythms.
Chandler serves as a New Hampshire Air National Guard firefighter and EMT. While deployed to Kuwait in the fall of 2021, Chandler took a full course load at PSU and served as speaker of the PSU Student Government Association. Back in New Hampshire, Chandler works with an emergency medical service providing 911 and interfacility transfers for the Lakes Region.
The US Army awarded Chandler the Army Achievement Medal, which is given for outstanding achievement and meritorious service, for providing medical care to Afghan refugees in Kuwait.
“Since Josh’s arrival on the PSU campus, he has been part of the fabric of this community,” says Marlin Collingwood, interim vice president of communications, enrollment and student Life. “His leadership abilities, empathy for his fellow students, serious academic work, and willingness to work however he can to improve our community truly make him not just a rising star but a shining star at Plymouth State.”
“I’m honored to be recognized by Stay Work Play as College Student of the Year. Whether it’s in the classroom or overseas, I feel like I do my best work when I’m part of a team,” Chandler says. “Plymouth State and its unique Clusters program affords me opportunities I wouldn’t have anywhere else to collaborate with community organizations and learn new skills.”