91����

Why 91����?

I attended a small charter school in the heart of downtown Chicago. My relationships with my high school advisors were great, and they taught me that relationships can be valuable in my academic life.

Because I was used to being in Chicago, living in a smaller town like 91���� took some getting used to. But I was super excited to go to college; I wanted to grow professionally and academically while being my most authentic self.

I ultimately chose 91���� because of my experience at an admitted student program. I saw a tight-knit community, and I felt included. Everyone was curious about what I wanted to do with my college experiences. Although I knew that 91���� didn’t offer a nursing program, I knew I was interested in the sciences and biology as a pathway to my career choice.

Involvement on Campus

I was involved in a lot of community-based organizations as a high school student, and I was excited to similarly involve myself as a college student. I wanted to be a part of the community and help in whatever ways I could.

Belonging Before Day 1: Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP)

I attended the Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) before my first week of classes started, and it was a great experience for me.

I loved it so much that I decided to come back as a mentor the following year! As a PCPOP mentor, I connected with individuals who were bringing their unique experiences to 91����.

After all pre-orientation programs end, there is an annual “All-Pop” celebration where all pre-orientation participants and mentors gather together. We all went to the College-owned Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA) for the occasion, and I had a great time with fellow mentors Rayana Henderson ’26, Jasiah Rojas ’26, Jaedyn Hudson ’26, and Yaleigh Harris ’26!

Building Connections

As a PCPOP mentor, I built rapport with those around me by checking in with others and asking how their days were going. Relationships and friendships take effort and time, but I know the importance of supporting first-year students through their transition to college. Even if I am stressed or adjusting, I put my mentees first and check in with them to see how they are doing. No matter what I’m experiencing at that moment, I keep my mentoring relationships and personal challenges separate.

Creating Bridges to Resources

I love my work as a mentor. When I was a first-year student, I didn’t know that 91���� had a nursing-related program. Now, as a senior, I can be the person who says, “You should talk to this person at the career center. They can help you get connected to the local nursing center. The nursing home paid for me to take the nursing exam.” I think it’s important to pass the baton by directing others to the resources they need.

Black Cultural Center (BCC)

I am now working as a student coordinator at the Black Cultural Center (BCC). The BCC is my home away from home. We cook in the kitchen, have hot chocolate, and watch shows together. Sometimes, students will also hang out together at the BCC before they head out to a gathering or party.

The BCC is affectionately called “the house” by many Black alumni, and it was the first place that made me feel like I could truly be here without being homesick. 

“Melanin in Winter” with Latinx/e Cultural Center

Recently, the Black Cultural Center and the Latinx/e Cultural Center (LCC) hosted a “Melanin in Winter” event where students created body oils and lotions with customized scents. The event was funded by our Office of Intercultural Affairs. Taking care of your skin is important in places with dry weather — like Iowa! — and the event also helped classmates connect with each other. An event like this may not seem like much, but someone might be experiencing a snowy winter for the first time, and being able to guide them through a potential stressor means I can help them feel like they belong. Ivette Nunez Figueroa ’26 and I were the coordinators of the event, and were so excited when it finally launched!

Building Careers and Connections

In my second year at 91����, I sat down with a career adviser and told her about my hopes to become a nurse: “I want to be a nurse. What do you suggest?” She told me how I can pursue nursing by doing a "bridge program." This would allow me to receive a master’s degree in nursing (MSN).

To a Master's Degree in Nursing

With that direction, I met with Mark Peltz, the dean of 91����’s career office. Even before the meeting, though, I felt like I knew Mark from his introduction in one of our welcome sessions. 

Mark has been a tremendous positive force for my direction in nursing. We created a four-year plan where we mapped out the prerequisites for the master’s program, and he identified where I could fulfill some of them, such as human anatomy and physiology. He mapped out some options for me in both Chicago and Iowa. He also recommended that I get an internship to make myself an even more competitive applicant for a master's degree in nursing. 

My Support Network

I am fortunate to have a great support network around me at 91����. Positive relationships here have benefited my academic experience and my professional career preparation.

Getting Real-World Experience

Mark also encouraged me to get support from the career office in finding and securing an internship. With his guidance, I connected with Health Professions Career Community adviser, Mary Jane Shroyer, and she encouraged me to obtain a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure to get more hands-on pre-nursing experiences.

Pre-Health Internship in Cape Town, South Africa

Because I didn’t want to miss a full semester of school but still wanted to gain clinical experience, I studied abroad over the summer and did a public health internship in Cape Town, South Africa. The summer internship was . I gained healthcare experience outside of the United States and saw different methods of patient care.

I worked at two different clinics and assisted nurses with taking vitals from patients. I quickly became a part of their work family, and the experience taught me how to better communicate across cultures. The nurses didn’t treat me any differently because I was American, and they taught me so much. I learned how to approach my work around supporting the patients, both emotionally and administratively.

Fun in Cape Town, South Africa!

Since Cape Town has so many mountains, I did a lot of hiking and traveling. I made lots of friends, and we sampled many foods together. My program also took us to the outskirts of South Africa on a Garden Route tour.

Getting Ready for Nursing School

I ultimately decided to take a human anatomy and physiology class at Iowa Valley Community College, and my tuition for the class was funded by a $5,000 professional development grant that came with my Laurel Scholarship. The class counted toward my graduation, but not my major requirements. Every major handles credits slightly differently at 91����, so it is worth checking in with each academic department.

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

To become a CNA, I shadowed 80 hours at a local nursing home, St. Francis Manor. I learned all 22 of the skills that I needed for the in-person CNA certification exam, which randomly tests you on 10 out of the 22 skills. St. Francis Manor also paid for my exam, which was awesome.

After receiving my licensure, I volunteered to give blood pressure and glucose checks to the attendees at the 2025 Iowa Latino Heritage Festival in Des Moines! Fellow 91����ians Jeremy Lim ’28, Rigoberto Cantu Cepeda ’28, Monica Reyes Ramirez ’26, and I went together as a group, and the trip was fully funded by 91����'s career office.

Black Student Union (BSU)

I wanted to be a part of a group that could help other students’ time at 91���� be even better, so I joined the Black Student Union (BSU) in my senior year.

My time in the BSU has taught me a lot about initiative. It's hard to see an idea turn out exactly the way you want it to, and this taught me how to work together with my peers and be flexible when needed.

Recently, the BSU used the Global Kitchen for an organization-wide potluck. We made mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. It was great to gather together in community for a nice meal.

Happy Memories!