College Kudos: Events, Presentations, and Publications

The College of Nursing Lamp of Learning ceremony was held on January 25, 2024. The ceremony is a tradition in which we recognize incoming prelicensure students and acknowledge their decision to enter the profession of nursing. Erica Fearnley and Mikayla Dalley – Student Services Academic Advisors – planned and directed the ceremony. The Spring 2024 pre-licensure cohort and their invited family and friends met in the Student Union Ballroom for a meaningful evening that included hearing from Dr. Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh, Dean Marla De Jong, Dr. Valerie Flattes, Alyssa Pham, and Dr. Melody Krahulec. Dr. William Hull and Dr. Sue Chase Cantarini read the names of the pre-licensure students as they walked across the stage. A big thank you to the Advancement team for providing lanterns for each student. Staff members Sonja Jensen, Ben Jones, Annastasia Beller, Adryenne Huo, and Gabriel Mayberry also supported the event. 

The College of Nursing (CON) celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Week with several events January 13-19, 2024. Cristi Creal, along with the BIPOC group, set up a pop-up display on the second floor of the College. Additionally, the CON Simulation Center hosted an open house for community members. MLK Week emphasizes the significance of equal access to quality healthcare for all individuals, and the CON Simulation Center embodies this principle by providing an inclusive learning environment that fosters excellence in healthcare delivery. The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team expresses gratitude to the Simulation Center team – Sherri Kerney, Yvonne Bass, Bobby Cody, and Debbie Boulter – for providing space and giving community members a tour of the center.

Dr. Valerie Flattes, Aarohi Drabu, and Master of Science student Alyssa Pham organized the Saturday Academy session that was held on January 20, 2024 for 90 elementary, middle school, and high school youth. Saturday Academy is a collaboration among the Health Sciences Colleges and Schools and their offices of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Saturday Academy aims to create and promote an inclusive campus environment, and populate a strong applicant pool for admission into multiple health science fields. Focusing on those from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations in health care, the academy inspires students in grades 4-12 to pursue a career in nursing. Attendees engaged in hands-on activities in the CON Simulation Center, interacted with nurses and nursing students, and learned about the journey of a nursing student, including preparation for college, the admissions process, and more. The following contributed to and supported the success of the academy: 

• Simulation Center team – Dr. Ann Butt, Debbie Boulter, Lori Hanson, and Bobby Cody.
• Administrative support – Kristan Tunks, Erica Fearnley, Gabriel Mayberry, Adryenne Huo, Shelli King, Mandy Thomson,and Deidre Schoenfeld.
• Students and alumni: Haley Gray, Nancy Astorga, Caroline Howell, Emma Plute, Taylor Nash, Madyson Hulse, Akira Oregel, Geovanna Inguanzo, Jacy Thomas, Carson Bohn, Courtney Eyler, Allie Stewart-Duke, Eloisa Marie Natalicio, Kate Wiseman, Ava Wronski, Sara Williams, Dayanara Zarate, Aynsley Silliman, Victoria Caroline Tompkins, Priscilla Santos, Brianna Aquilla, Salma Arrambide, AnneMarie Fougler, Denise Crismon, Lindsey Davis, Autumn Barker, and Daniela Cartwright.