Pitching for Genetic Change
Majors: Biology, Spanish
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Scholarships: Journey Scholarship, Dr. Maureen Danks Scholarship, Oliver Karlis Molenaar Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship
Involvement: Women’s softball
Career Goal: Genetic counseling
Larissa Miller ’27 is thriving at Central College. Her unique experiences as a student-athlete and a biology and Spanish double major have confirmed her decision to pursue a career in genetic counseling.
Miller was first introduced to the field of genetic counseling by a family member while she happened to be studying genetics in science class. Fascinated by everything she was learning, Miller researched career options in the field and hasn’t looked back since.
“In genetic counseling, I’ll get patient interaction, so I can still work with people instead of only doing science,” Miller explains. “I want a mix of both.”
Miller discovered Central when Head Softball Coach George Wares ’76 reached out to her following her first year at a different institution. Ready for a new challenge, Miller accepted the invitation and unlocked unexpected opportunities both on the softball field and in the classroom.
“Softball got me here, but the academics made me stay,” she recalls.
In the classroom, Miller excels under the mentorship of Paulina Mena, professor of biology, who will also guide Miller through her upcoming senior honors thesis. With Mena’s support, Miller will study the underrepresentation of Latin American and indigenous populations in genetic studies.
Reflecting on Mena’s guidance, Miller says, “She helps me with so many different things I never even thought about. She’s helped me write a cover letter, provided letters of recommendation and steered me toward programs with internships that would be a good fit for me. I’m excited for my honors project because I’ll be combining both of my majors and doing work that will set me up for graduate school by giving me a better understanding of genetics.”
Miller has found community outside the classroom and even beyond the U.S. borders. In Fall 2025, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and visited several other countries, including Morocco. On campus, she keeps busy with the softball team. Miller credits Central donors for providing generous scholarships that enable busy students like her to pursue all her passions at once.
“Financial support from donors means I have time to do the things I want to do—studying, researching and practicing softball — because I’m not as worried about how I’m going to pay for college. It means a lot to be able to pursue what I want and not have to worry.”
With the Central community behind her, Miller looks forward to mapping her future and whatever challenge comes next — whether in the classroom, on the softball field or beyond.