State-hopper turned academic guide connects students with ‘unparalleled’ community at NUNM.

The Admissions team at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) is dedicated to providing resources and guidance to students so they choose the right path in natural medicine.

In highlighting our Admissions team and their contributions to the NUNM community, we asked our admissions coordinator Becky Chapin to share more about her role:

Q1: Where’s home? And what did you like about living there? 

I finally set down roots in Portland in 2018, but leading up to this, I couldn’t seem to sit still. I lived in six different states, traveled halfway across the country five times, and even moved houses four times in a single year. That said, Colorado felt like my home away from home. Living along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains was a great experience—one I remember fondly. I still miss Colorado sometimes, but the trade-off for all the green trees, proximity to the ocean, and amazing people here in Oregon is well worth it. 

Q2: Where did you go to school? And what did you study? 

I attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. To be honest, I didn’t really know what I wanted to “do” after school or pursue as a career, so I defaulted to what I enjoyed most, which was art. I started out as a Studio Art major and explored nearly every medium they offered—from drawing and painting to metalsmithing. That changed when I took an art history class with the most fantastic professor, and I was hooked. I fell in love with the contrast and drama of Hellenistic Greek art, the Baroque period, and Mesoamerican art. In the end, I took a multidisciplinary approach and wrote my thesis on the “Iconic Use of Dragons Through History and Cultures.”  

Q3: What’s unique about the NUNM experience and community here? 

The genuine warmth and welcoming atmosphere at NUNM has been unparalleled. It’s a lovely community of students, staff, and faculty who engage with one another across departments and programs. I enjoy getting to know everyone and hearing their stories—of which there are many! NUNM truly feels like a gem, where you persevere through all the rigors of medical school with a holistic outlook and personal touch. 

Q4: What’s the best part of your job working in Admissions? 

Perhaps it’s cliché, but I love helping people access the programs they feel passionate about studying. I’m a big proponent of continuing education—whether in an institutional setting or not—so having a tangible opportunity to assist prospective students genuinely sustains my soul. Beyond my deep enthusiasm for learning, I also get a lovely little dopamine spark every time I cross something off my to-do list.  

Q5: Why is NUNM in Portland a great place to be a student, or to study natural medicine? 

Portland offers a wide range of local activities, such as hiking to Latourell Falls, paddle boarding on the Willamette, visiting the Portland Art Museum—and then topping it off with a date night and boba at Tous Les Jours. The city offers a blend of conventional and alternative events, cuisine, and arts. I feel like this provides a wonderful environment to learn about both allopathic and natural medicine. I’m close with some alumni who are enjoying fantastic careers as primary care doctors after completing their ND programs at NUNM. They’ve always shared great things about their time at NUNM and the curriculum. If you’re considering attending, I certainly recommend the school, the programs, and—most importantly—the people.