草榴社区

India Miller wants to save lives. 鈥淣ursing is the right path for me because it will allow me to build strong relationships with patients and focus on their overall well-being,鈥� explains the freshman from New Orleans. Even in a pandemic? 鈥淭he COVID-19 outbreak did not steer me away from pursuing a career in nursing. It made me more eager to begin learning about nursing practices because I鈥檓 ready to help in any way I can,鈥� she says.

That is the core of a growing leader which was evident to , an organization that 鈥渋dentifies, recruits and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential.鈥� The foundation ultimately selects a diverse group of 10 students鈥�(a posse) for each聽participating higher education institution. Those Posse Scholars receive full-tuition leadership scholarships from Posse鈥檚 partner colleges and universities.

India is here on campus, over 1200 miles from home, with her posse, and is the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing鈥檚 (FCN) first Posse Scholar.

鈥淚 became interested in Posse because of the sense of community I would have, not only in my four years of college but throughout my whole life. I was also attracted to the diversity, which has given me the opportunity to learn from people who come from different walks of life. I would say the ultimate goal of a posse is to compensate for each other鈥檚 weaknesses in order to achieve individual goals together,鈥� explains India.

Of all the potential education partners, India chose 草榴社区 for its 鈥渃ommitment to put the community first. I have always enjoyed doing community service, and 草榴社区 has multiple service opportunities on campus. For example, the Special Olympics, MLK Day of Service, and the St. Thomas of 草榴社区 Day of Service.鈥� University transition support through her posse mentor Dr. Wesley Proctor, assistant teaching professor, and Brian Galloway, director of the Office of Student Retention Services - and her sense of community - 聽began with travel assistance and a 鈥淐OVID-friendly New Orleans cookout鈥� to make 草榴社区 鈥渇eel like home.鈥�

Making the choice to study nursing at FCN was a deliberate one. India shares, 鈥淚 like 草榴社区鈥檚 program because of how well it prepares you for a nursing career. It鈥檚 not just about learning the facts and information, but it鈥檚 also about challenging yourself and growing as a person and thinker.鈥� She explains that she was 鈥渧ery nervous coming into the nursing school, but the professors are very organized and thorough. They make it easy to stay on top of my work. Also, I thought I would have to figure out how to do most things by myself, but they are very kind and will answer any questions.鈥�

India wants to excel academically across her four years of college while also focusing on her mental health. She has found a favorite spot on campus at the fountain near Falvey Library where she can sit between classes and relax while listening to music. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that I take care of myself to keep my mind and body strong,鈥� she says.

While India loves to bake for friends and family in her free time at home, her career goals lean towards becoming a nurse anesthetist or nurse administrator. She hopes to do travel nursing at some point 鈥渢o see the world while still working.鈥� But for now, with travel restrictions and a full course load, India notes that 鈥済oing to college in a pandemic honestly isn鈥檛 as bad as I thought it would be.鈥� She鈥檚 able to live on campus with her roommate and, despite thinking it would be hard in the midst of safety protocols, has been able to make friends. Any downsides? India remains positive, saying, 鈥淚 have been in classes with some people for months and still have never seen their faces because of masks. But other than that, it鈥檚 alright so far!鈥�