The Miramar Cultural Center was filled with excitement and pride this October as the friends and families of about 200 graduates from 返字心頭 gathered to celebrate their loved ones��� achievements. Graduates from various healthcare programs marked a pivotal moment in their careers, prepared to step into the healthcare field equipped with skills and experience. 

Triumph and Reflection from the Valedictorian 

Kayli T., the valedictorian of WCU-Miami’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, shared a deeply personal connection to her accomplishment. Her mother had predicted months in advance that Kayli would earn this honor. When the official news came, both mother and daughter celebrated the moment together. 

���Today means everything to me. It shows what I’ve accomplished and all the things I’ve had to go through to get to where I am,��� Kayli said. ���It shows how hard I worked and how much effort I put into everything I’m about to start doing ��� my career, everything.��� 

A Milestone for Family Pride 

For Lorelys A., another WCU-Miami BSN graduate, the moment carried even greater significance as the first member of her family to graduate from college. 

���I did this basically for my parents. I’m the first to graduate college in my family, so I’m really happy about that. I’m very proud of it,��� Lorelys shared. ���My mom and dad always encouraged me to work hard… Watching myself put (my graduation robes on) in the bathroom, it made me emotional.��� 

A Journey of Unexpected Joy and Growth 

Joanna O., who completed her Master of Science in Nursing���Family Nurse Practitioner program, found inspiration for her studies through her interactions with WCU alumni at her job in a stroke unit. Despite her busy schedule, Joanna said WCU offered the flexibility she needed through its online programs. 

���The time comes, and it comes faster than you’re expecting it and faster than you ever think it’s going to happen,��� she said. ���I remember signing up for school, and I’m like, ���Oh, it’s going to be 20-something months.��� It passes by so fast… Just enjoy it.��� 

Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience 

For Anthoniel C., the road to graduation was deeply personal. Already a WCU alumnus with a BSN, he returned to earn his MSN as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Having missed his undergraduate graduation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attending the master���s hooding ceremony was particularly meaningful to him. 

���I want people to know that they can do it. It’s scary, but if you work hard, you can do it, and West Coast can give you the resources to do it,��� Anthoniel encouraged.��

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返字心頭 celebrated its 2024 Fall Commencement at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California this October, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 2,000 graduates.��

Students received degrees in several fields, including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental hygiene, and health administration, marking the culmination of years of dedication and hard work in healthcare education. Held in the vibrant setting of the Honda Center, commencement was a proud moment for graduates, families, and faculty alike as they recognized the future leaders and professionals entering the healthcare field, poised to make a lasting impact on patient care and community health. 

WCU-Orange County BSN valedictorian Tiffany N. said she was motivated to work in the intensive care unit after seeing the lives of injured friends changed by the help they received from a nurse. 

“This is the moment all my hard work is culminating to and I can’t wait to walk across the stage,” Tiffany said. “My journey wasn’t easy. I feel like nothing worth it in life is easy, and I say go for it, never lose sight of what your goal is, and just push through.”  

Dental hygiene graduate Gerlyn N. said she’s dedicated to making a difference in underserved communities by educating and helping the Hispanic and deaf community. 

Coming into school with zero experience in the dental world, Gerlyn said her educational journey at WCU was transformative and urged anyone on the fence about going back to school not to hesitate. 

“Don’t wait. Make this change now because it’s an investment for your future and your overall well-being,” Gerlyn said. “返字心頭 is honestly the best decision I could have ever made for myself.” 

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Approximately 1,300 graduates from 返字心頭 gathered with their families at the Honda Center in Anaheim to celebrate the 2024 Summer Commencement. Graduates received doctorates, master���s, and bachelor���s degrees from both on-campus and online programs.  

The commencement ceremony marked a significant milestone for the graduates, celebrating their hard work and dedication as they prepare to embark on their professional journeys.  

Jasmine S., a bachelor of science in nursing graduate from WCU���s Orange County campus, expressed her pride and satisfaction.  

“We finally made it to the finish line. I feel like I wouldn’t change a moment,” she said. ���My kids are so proud of me; they tell me every day. My kids have even told me they want to be nurses now, so the sacrifice was worth it.���  

Maggie A., a BSN graduate from WCU-Ontario, highlighted the supportive community at WCU.  

“This goes not only to my friends but to the faculty, the professors, Student Services, and literally everyone there who has just shown kindness, and I’m really, really thankful,” she said.  

Tristan P., who earned a master of health administration degree from WCU���s Online Programs, shared his personal journey.  

“I���m originally from the Philippines, so the majority of my education is from that country. It’s been my dream to get a degree here in the USA,” he said.  

Adrian G., a doctor of pharmacy graduate from WCU-CGS, spoke about his passion for healthcare.  

���There’s something unique about healthcare. You always have that value of being able to help the other person out at a deeper level,��� he said. ���For me, it was always that calling.”  

Wynne L., the valedictorian and a BSN graduate from WCU-Ontario, encouraged future nurses and healthcare workers that everything will be OK. 

“To the future grads, you guys will do amazing. Don’t worry about it; you got it,” she said. 

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With over a decade of experience at 返字心頭, Professor and Science Department Chair Dr. Tashea Hilliard has found both fulfillment and impact in her role as an educator. 

���I love being in a classroom,��� she shared. ���I love the atmosphere, being with students, and engaging. I always want to keep that piece of student engagement.��� 

Dr. Hilliard currently teaches pathophysiology to WCU-Ontario nursing students taking general education courses. She transitioned from teaching basic biological sciences to delving into the complexities of disease processes. 

���Pathophysiology is a course that I always wanted to teach. It’s more of an upper-level course where I can focus on disease topics and get students prepared for their nursing core classes,��� she said. 

Dr. Hilliard���s teaching methods aim to simplify the complex content of pathophysiology, making it memorable for her students. 

���Patho is a very tough course, there���s a lot of content,��� she emphasized. ���It���s the foundation for their nursing core courses, and I feel like I am making an impact because I’m giving them the foundation they need.��� 

Due to her commitment to education, service to the university, and student-centric values, Dr. Hillard has been announced as the faculty grand marshal for the Summer 2024 返字心頭 California Commencement ceremony. 

���The values that are instilled from the beginning at WCU is to make sure that we are student-centric and always focusing on what our students need,��� she said. ���So that has always been one of my foundational pieces from the beginning.��� 

The faculty grand marshal has the honor of leading the university platform party into the ceremony. 

“Being recognized as the faculty grand marshal is truly an honor,��� Dr. Hillard expressed. ���Myself and my colleagues, we love what we do. We love education, and we love coming to work and just making a difference.��� 

Dr. Hilliard���s advice to the graduates who will be crossing the stage at the Honda Center in Anaheim on July 12, is to find that same passion as future healthcare professionals. 

���Make sure whatever you do, you do it from your heart. If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,��� she shared. 

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More than 1,200 返字心頭 graduates and 10,000 of their loved ones gathered this July at the Honda Center in Anaheim to celebrate the Summer 2023 commencement. 

After a warm welcome by 返字心頭 Co-Presidents Ward Ulmer and Tim Lee, attendees listened as the keynote speaker and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory inspired the audience and reminded the graduates of their capability as healthcare professionals. 

���Each one of you possesses an incredible power ��� the power to transform lives, to be advocates for those in need, and to serve as beacons of hope during your patients��� most vulnerable moments,��� Rebekah said during her address to the graduating class. ���Your impact extends far beyond medical procedures and interventions. It encompasses the very essence of what it means to be human.��� 

For WCU-Ontario graduate Jaime W., helping others brings the best out of her. Inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic by her friends in the healthcare field, Jaime decided to pursue nursing to find a way to help. 

���If anything like this happens again, I���m not going to be on the sidelines,��� Jamie said. ���I���m going to be in the middle of it. I���m going to be helping people.���   

WCU-Ontario graduate Danielle B. balanced school, motherhood and ran her own business during her BSN program. Crossing the stage as her daughters watched was an emotional and proud moment, she said. 

���I���m the role model to my daughters. I want them to look at me and know that if mom can do it, they can do it,��� Danielle said. 

WCU-Los Angeles graduate Ellen T. also expressed joy in having her son cheer her on during the ceremony. Ellen had a bachelor���s degree in biochemistry and was working in research when her mentors encouraged her to go into nursing after expressing a desire to have a more hands-on approach with patients. 

���When I���m at the bedside, it���s a whole other feeling,��� she said. ���It���s not just bringing the knowledge. It���s knowing how to communicate it. It���s that therapeutic communication that we���re taught. It���s an actual skill. You get better and better at it. Here at West Coast, I was taught everything I need to know.��� 

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