Alumni Stories: Lauren Sprinkle

When Lauren (Taylor) Sprinkle walked into PCA as a new fifth grader, she had no idea just how much the school would shape her life. From eighth grade Bible lessons that laid a spiritual foundation, to friendships that carried all the way to her wedding day, to the teachers and coaches who became lifelong influences, her years at PCA were filled with moments that mattered. Today, she’s living in North Carolina with her husband, working in clinical research, and still leaning on the grounding she gained at PCA. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey, from moving across the country as a child, to navigating faith in college, to finding purpose in her career, and shares advice for current students as they look ahead to life after graduation.

How many years were you at PCA and what are some of the memories that you have in those years?

I started at PCA in fifth grade and continued through twelfth. One of the most meaningful experiences for me was studying Revelation in eighth grade. That class really set me up for success and gave me a strong foundation. The teachers I had were especially impactful. We had just moved from Nevada to New Hampshire, and having teachers who genuinely cared, combined with being in a Christian school environment, really shaped my experience. Weekly chapel and the chance to connect with classmates and teachers on a deeper level were invaluable.

High school was an incredible experience. I know not everyone can say that, but I truly couldn’t have asked for better. I made so many close friends—two of them, twins, Dani and Emily Brashear, were even in my wedding last year and the entirety of our friend group attended as well.

Sports were also a big part of my time at PCA. I played volleyball, indoor track, and outdoor track, and I had wonderful coaches who made a lasting impact. One of my friend’s dads, who coached me in volleyball, is still “Coach Rich” to me. At my wedding, his name card even
said, “Coach Rich.” Those relationships and experiences are things I’ll always carry with me.

Academically, PCA was rigorous and prepared me well for college and beyond. I especially appreciated my English classes with Mr. Beal, which gave me a strong foundation in writing and communication. Math and science were also challenging and beneficial. Everyone’s academic strengths are different, but for me, those subjects were crucial in preparing for what came next.

Overall, I wouldn’t trade my PCA experience for anything. It gave me lifelong friendships, spiritual grounding, strong academics, and experiences that shaped who I am today.

Where did life take you after PCA?

I attended Campbell University, a Christian university in North Carolina. Transitioning from high school to college can be difficult because your faith becomes your own—it’s no longer your family’s, but something you personally have to live out. Having the background and foundation I gained at PCA was incredibly important. It gave me strength in my faith and the ability to build on what I had already learned. I think I might have lost my way in college without the grounding I had from my family, church, and PCA. That’s why I would recommend PCA to anyone—it provided me with such a strong spiritual and academic foundation.

I spent four years at Campbell, and it’s also where I met my husband. We met during my senior year, the week before COVID shut everything down. He’s now in Campbell’s medical school, so we’re still connected to the university even though I’ve since graduated.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Initially, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take. I explored different roles after graduation, working in recruiting and mortgage lending before finding my place in clinical research. I’ve now been with Syneos Health, a clinical research organization, for nearly three years, and it has been a wonderful experience.

Interestingly, when I first entered Campbell, I thought I wanted to go to medical school because I was very interested in the sciences. But along the way, I discovered a passion for business and chose that path instead. It’s been a journey of growth and discovery, and I’m grateful for where it’s led me.

Where are you now?

I’ve been living in North Carolina since graduating from PCA. I originally moved here for college, and over time I met my best friends and my husband. My parents eventually relocated here as well, and my brother moved down with me before settling in Texas with his wife. While we love it here, we definitely miss New Hampshire—especially on days like today when it’s 93 degrees in North Carolina and much cooler up north.

My current role at Syneos is in the finance department. I am part of a team handling the central financials for a wide range of clinical studies in areas such as oncology, neuroscience, and general medicine. Our company is for-profit, so rather than donations, we partner with major clients and support their projects from early-phase trials all the way to market launch. I work closely with the leadership teams to maintain the financial reporting and analysis of these studies.

About a year ago, I was in a different role, working specifically in oncology. That gave me the chance to see firsthand how successful some of these studies were and the impact they had on patients. Having experienced both the detailed side of clinical studies and the broader, large-scale clinical development process has been eye-opening.

Even though my role is financial, it’s meaningful to be part of work that often provides a last resort for patients. Knowing that what I do supports studies with life-changing potential makes the work incredibly rewarding.

What do your plans for the future look like?

Bryce and I have been married for just over a year and a half. He’s currently in his fourth year of medical school at Campbell, and we’ll be heading into residency within the next year.

Our hope is to stay in North Carolina for residency. Bryce plans to go into family medicine, with a particular heart for serving underserved communities. He’s from a very rural town, and we’d love to return to the mountain area to provide care where it’s most needed. I’m incredibly proud of him and excited to see what’s ahead for his career.

Being so busy, do the two of you have time for hobbies?

It’s amazing, and not something a lot of people can say, but when Bryce and I graduated college, our friend groups blended together. Now we have about 20 close friends who all live within 20 to 30 minutes of us. We do game nights, dinners, and even girls’ trips—it’s such a blessing to have a community of like-minded people who share our faith. I’d say about 90% of them are Christians, which has been incredible.

Outside of that, I love to work out and I’m involved in several Bible studies—one with my parents and another with a close friend. I’ve also been part of my church here since college, and it’s been wonderful to watch it grow and develop since 2017. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family, just living life together. It’s been really special to see how God has been at work in our lives and in the community around us.

If you have or had some piece of advice to give to PCA students at Upper School, what would that be?

I would encourage students to focus on their faith and what it truly means in their own lives. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—whether to people at PCA or beyond—because the real world comes quickly. If your life and heart are centered on Christ, you’ll be well prepared to face whatever comes next.