Jackson Fife Finds Purpose in Dentistry, Service and Faith
Former BYU Division I volleyball player and first-year Roseman University dental student Jackson Fife is bringing the lessons of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance to his journey toward becoming a dentist. Through early clinical experiences, research opportunities, and community outreach, Fife is discovering how he can combine his passion for hands-on care with his commitment to serving others. Guided by his faith and supported by his wife, family, and love of the outdoors, Fife is building a foundation for a career rooted in compassion, purpose, and meaningful patient care.
For Jackson Fife, a first-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) student at Roseman University’s College of Dental Medicine, success has always been about more than individual achievement. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and helping the people around him succeed along the way.
That mindset took shape during five years playing Division I volleyball at Brigham Young University – Provo (BYU), where discipline, teamwork, and perseverance became part of his everyday life. Today, Fife brings those same values to dental school, combining his passion for hands-on care with a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Choosing Roseman
When choosing a dental school, Fife was drawn to Roseman’s mission-driven approach to education and its Six-Point Mastery Learning Model®, specifically the unique block curriculum, which emphasizes mastery-based learning and clinical readiness from day one.
“As a former Division I athlete, I was drawn to a program that valued discipline, teamwork, and mastery-based learning,” Fife says. “Roseman’s structure felt like it was built for people who wanted to be pushed and supported at the same time.”
The opportunity to grow in a challenging, supportive environment made Roseman a natural fit. Being close to his wife Ellsie’s family and the mountains where he loves to fly-fish made the decision even easier.
Fife was drawn to dentistry because it combines his interest in working with his hands with his desire to care for others. The field allows him to bring together technical skills, problem-solving, and meaningful patient relationships.
“You get to see the direct impact of your work in a way few other fields offer. That combination of craft and care is what pulled me in,” said Fife.
The People Behind His Success
Fife credits much of his success to the people who have supported and inspired him throughout his educational journey.
His parents instilled in him the confidence to pursue ambitious goals and the belief that hard work can open doors to new opportunities. Those lessons stayed with him through every stage of his education.
His five years playing volleyball at BYU further shaped his approach to challenges, teaching him the importance of consistency, accountability, and supporting teammates, even when circumstances are difficult.
But the person who inspires Fife most in his daily life is his wife, Ellsie.
“She’s been by my side through every transition, and her steadiness and support are a big part of why I’ve been able to pursue this path at all,” he says.
Finding Opportunities to Grow
Although Fife is still in his first year at Roseman, he has already begun exploring opportunities that will help shape his future in dentistry.
Through hands-on clinical orientation and early research involvement, he is gaining experience beyond the classroom. He is currently working with Dr. Man Hung, College of Dental Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Programs and CORE Director, on two scoping reviews, including one related to endodontics, a specialty that has already captured his interest.
These experiences are giving Fife an early opportunity to explore potential areas of specialization while developing the knowledge and skills he will need as a future healthcare provider.
“As a first-year student, Roseman has already given me more than I expected,” he says. “That kind of early opportunity is something I don’t think I’d have found everywhere.”
For Fife, these experiences reflect the value of an educational environment that encourages students to pursue their interests, build confidence, and begin connecting their academic work to the future of patient care.
Putting Service into Practice
One of Fife’s favorite memories at Roseman so far was participating in the university’s Back to School Brush-Up™, an annual community outreach event that provides children with free dental screenings and cleanings to help prepare them for the school year.
During the event, Fife assisted in the clinic and welcomed families and children as they arrived. His ability to communicate in Portuguese and Spanish also allowed him to connect with some families in their preferred languages.
The experience allowed him to put his developing skills into practice while helping patients and families feel welcome.
“It was incredibly rewarding to finally get to serve people and provide care in a real, hands-on way,” Fife says.
The event reinforced what first drew him to dentistry: the opportunity to combine practical skills with personal connection and make a real difference in someone’s life. It also gave him an early glimpse of the responsibility and fulfillment that comes with serving a community through healthcare.
Leading With Faith and Purpose
For Fife, the principles that guide his approach to dentistry extend beyond the classroom and clinic.
“My faith in Jesus Christ is a big part of who I am and how I try to treat patients and classmates,” he says.
That perspective complements the lessons he learned through athletics and the example set by his family: show up every day, do the work, and lift the people around you.
His commitment to service reflects a broader understanding of what it means to become a healthcare provider. Developing clinical skills is essential, but so is recognizing the person behind every patient and treating others with compassion and respect.
Finding Balance in the Mountains
Outside of dental school, Fife finds one of his greatest sources of balance in the outdoors. Fly-fishing in the Utah mountains with Ellsie gives him time to recharge, reconnect with his wife, and step away from the demands of school. For Fife, those moments offer more than a break from studying. They serve as a reminder of the people and priorities that matter most.
As he continues his journey at Roseman, he carries that perspective with him, along with the discipline he developed as a student-athlete, the support of his family, and the faith that helps guide his decisions. His approach remains simple: show up every day, do the work, and lift the people around you. It’s a philosophy that helped shape him on the volleyball court and continues to guide him as he works toward becoming a dentist—one who hopes to make a difference not only through the care he provides, but also through the way he serves others.