Meet Alexis.
What made you consider nursing as a program of study?
I have always been deeply fascinated by the human body and have a genuine passion for helping others, making this field feel like the perfect fit for me. The nursing field has endless opportunities that can expose you to so many diverse paths and unique experiences along the way in your professional career. I did not just want a job; I wanted a career that felt meaningful, rewarding, and something I could truly take pride in.
Why did you choose WVU School of Nursing?
I chose the WVU School of Nursing for its exceptional reputation for educating, training, and producing highly skilled Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who enter the workforce equipped to perform at a high level.
Could you share a positive experience from your time at the SON?
During my time at WVU, the faculty at the School of Nursing, including the director of the Nurse Anesthesia program and his entire team, have made me feel truly at home; there is no other place I would rather be.
What does scholarship support mean to you?
To me, a scholarship is an investment in a student that not only funds an education but shapes a future that every patient and every life that student touches carries forward. It reminds a student that they are not alone in the journey and that their hard work, sacrifice, and dreams are seen and valued. Support like this does not just ease financial stress, but it creates room to learn, to grow, and to show up fully for each and every patient they provide care for.
If you could say something to potential scholarship donors, what would you say?
Scholarship is more than money. It is a lifeline. It is validation that someone believes in me, even when I barely have the resources, mentally, physically, and emotionally, to believe in myself. It sends a great message that I belong here and should keep going. As a first-generation college student with no financial support system stepping into the unknown of a rigorous three-year program, feeling like I belong is so important. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
Post-graduation, I hope to sit for and pass my boards and begin working as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Additionally, I aspire to earn my Advanced Pain Certification, establish my own practice, and eventually start a foundation dedicated to providing anesthesia care to underserved communities, expanding access to care.
Why would you recommend WVU SON to someone?
At West Virginia University, you are not just getting a world-class education; you are in an environment that prioritizes mental health and creates a supportive, safe space for learning, a place that truly feels like home.
Anything else you’d like to add.
The Nurse Anesthesia program is intense and demanding, and one of the unique challenges we face is the requirement to complete clinical rotations in hospitals located up to three hours away from campus. These rotations often last weeks at a time, requiring us to secure short-term housing and typically costly hotel stays while still being responsible for rent and other expenses back home. Scholarships not only help us to survive this journey, it helps us to thrive in it.