Graduate Spotlight Archives | �ֻ��Ƭ

OT Alumni Hopes To Instill Same Confidence As Professor That She Gained As WCU Student

�ֻ��Ƭ — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:00:00 +0000

As a student in �ֻ��Ƭ’s first doctor of occupational therapy cohort, Valerie Cromwell Perry trusted the faculty to help prepare her for success. Now a professor at WCU, she aims to instill a similar confidence in her students’ caregiving future.

“The best part about occupational therapy is when you walk into what seems like an impossible situation, and you just start opening doors to people who just are completely succumbed by whatever illness or injury that they’re currently going through,” Perry said. “Through the power of skilled occupational therapy, they’re able to overcome those challenges and restore their independence and their quality of life.”

Perry saw that power firsthand while being the primary caregiver for her father, who was terminally ill with cancer. Describing her dad’s OT as “kind, compassionate and brilliant,” Perry said she was fascinated by the techniques and adaptive strategies that “restored his independence.”

Perry said she knew she had found her calling while watching her dad’s eyes light up just from the simple act of putting on his shoes or getting up from the couch to get a glass of water.

“The OT taught him how to do it, so he didn’t have to rely on me,” she said. “It was her professionalism and her expertise that made me want to be like her.”

Born and raised in California, Perry was living in Illinois when she began looking for OT schools. After visiting several universities, Perry said she felt “at home” after her interview at WCU. Despite being part of the university’s first OTD cohort, Perry said she had “no reservations” about the program’s integrity due to her interactions with the faculty.

“I didn’t realize I was ‘on edge’ until I talked to the faculty here and felt so at ease and comfortable,” she said. “I knew we were fully accredited in our master’s program, and I knew that the same team that ran the master’s program was running the doctorate program, so I had zero concerns that we would have any issues with it.”

After graduating in 2020, Perry came back to teach at �ֻ��Ƭ in 2022. While some things are different since her time as a student, Perry said the core philosophy of the accelerated program remains unchanged.

“Occupational therapy spans from infancy all the way to older adulthood and everything in between,” she said. “We span all various ages and all different conditions. We can work with them. Our curriculum is as diverse as they come.”

Once enrolled, Perry recommends students come in with an open mind, be receptive to feedback, and be ready to learn from Day One.

“Students are supported from the moment they walk through those doors,” she said. “We are going to prepare you to restore hope in something that feels so distant at this time.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Valerie Cromwell Perry and what is her connection to �ֻ��Ƭ?

A: Valerie Cromwell Perry is an alumni of �ֻ��Ƭ’s first doctor of occupational therapy cohort. After graduating in 2020, she returned to WCU as a professor in 2022. Her journey from student to faculty member showcases the strength of WCU’s occupational therapy education.

Q: How do you become an occupational therapy instructor?

A: Requirements for instructor or professor positions can vary greatly between one organization and the next. Prospective students who are interested in teaching one day can benefit greatly from pursuing their doctorate degree. An doctorate generally provides more in-depth preparation than a master’s degree, better equipping students for roles in academia and research.

Q: What is an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)?

A: OTD programs prepare students to become occupational therapists. The curriculum provides the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become an effective clinical practitioner. In addition, OTDs include a capstone project where students are able to engage their research skills, helping them prepare for academic or leadership positions.

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WCU Celebrates Summer 2022 Commencement [Video]

�ֻ��Ƭ — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 10:45:00 +0000

A big congratulations to all the �ֻ��Ƭ graduates who recently celebrated this amazing achievement.

The WCU 2022 Summer Commencement ceremony was held on July 9 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. With more than 700 graduates and 4,500 guests, the event recognized students across programs — from nursing to physical therapy — who have proven they have the drive and tenacity to make it in the professional world.

“Through perseverance, and just having this one objective, this one goal in mind, it really helped me to just push through it. And now I’m here,” Megan Divinagracia, BSN ’22, said while celebrating her graduation among classmates and faculty members.

Returning student Sheryl Pena was also among those celebrating. After earning her BSN at WCU, she came back to take advantage of the online programs, having just earned a post-master’s nursing certificate. When asked why she chose to come back to WCU, she said, “The people, the instructors, the camaraderie with the students you get… it’s very different here.”

“They had like a family atmosphere,” DPT graduate Bryan Giron echoed. “They made me feel really welcome.”

We wish all the WCU graduates great success, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome you into the WCU alumni family!

Watch our commencement recap video above to hear more about what graduates are saying about their time at WCU.

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Online BSN Valedictorian Sets Lofty Goals and Achieves Them

�ֻ��Ƭ — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 15:46:58 +0000

Debbie Dawn Leoncio, BSN

Whether you’re a firefighter or involved in police work, whether you’re a doctor or a nurse, if you’re a frontline worker, commitment is part of your DNA.

If you’re looking for a perfect case in point, look no further than Debbie Leoncio, a Supervising RN at Patton State Hospital who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from �ֻ��Ƭ on July 9 as one of two valedictorians from the school’s Online Programs.

Leoncio said she was “really proud” of herself, but not because she was valedictorian or because she got straight A’s; rather, she was proud of herself for having accomplished such a difficult and challenging goal that she’d committed herself to achieving.

“I was just thinking, ‘I want to prove to myself that I can do this’,” she said. “I got all A’s in my (Associates Degree in Nursing) program (at San Bernardino Valley College), but it wasn’t so much that I wanted to get all A’s (at WCU) – I just wanted to prove to myself that I could excel in things that were so hard.”

English as a Second Language

As if the coursework and balancing a full-time job that often required extra shifts wasn’t challenging enough, WCU’s Online �ֻ��Ƭare primarily based on written papers, and for Leoncio, English is her second language. Her native language is Tagalog.

“In the beginning, I was really nervous writing papers because in the Associate program, you don’t write as many papers,” she said. “But I just started each paper early, took my time, and every paper I wrote, I wanted to do better for the next one.”

Well, having received A’s in her first class, Leoncio didn’t leave much room “to do better for the next one,” but she proceeded to get an A in her second class, and every class she took after that en route to her Online BSN degree at �ֻ��Ƭ.

Excelling in Online Programs

WCU’s Online Programs proved to be a highly effective schooling solution for Leoncio because she said she oftentimes had to stay on for another shift that would lead into the next day. Because it’s difficult to plan for those sorts of things, you can’t reliably attend a school that expects you to be in a class at a certain time.

Thankfully for Leoncio, with the Online �ֻ��Ƭat �ֻ��Ƭ, flexibility is one of the key considerations. There’s a clear understanding that children and/or work can present unexpected scheduling quirks; therefore, giving students that flexibility in terms of when they are required to do their work during the week is critical. Still, even flexible online coursework requires discipline.

Leoncio would listen to audio recordings or read through notes during her lunch breaks. Additionally, with her papers, she always made sure to get an early start to allow for any “surprises” that could delay her writing process.

Secret to Success

So what does every online WCU student need to make it to graduation day? Reflecting on her experience, Leoncio had a simple answer for what helped her achieve nursing school success — and it’s an answer that is echoed by many of our other online students:

“Time management.”

What other academic advice does Leoncio have for students just getting started or thinking about an Online Program at �ֻ��Ƭ?

“Balance,” she said. “You need to make sure you allot time to study, but you have to have fun, too. You need to balance work, family, school and self-care – relaxing or exercise, going out with friends. There were days I definitely thought to myself, ‘I can’t do this,’ and I would just shut down my computer and go for a walk, just clear my mind, sometimes go out with friends… just anything to distract myself.”

Also, she said, “You have to make sure it’s what you want. Passion is really important. If you have (passion), you will give 100%.”

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WCU-Ontario BSN Graduate Prince Ronald Sta Ana Spotlight

�ֻ��Ƭ — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

After more than a decade of working as a licensed vocational nurse, it only took one second for Prince Ronald “Ronny” Sta Ana to decide to pursue his bachelor’s degree at �ֻ��Ƭ.��

“I’ve been working for the county for about over 10 years now and I just got really comfortable,” Ronny said. “Then, a light went on and I was like, ‘I need to go back to school’ because I know I have a lot to offer.”��

The �ֻ��Ƭ-Ontario LVN-to-BSN program graduate has been working as an LVN for the past 14 years, the last 10 for Los Angeles County in corrections, and feels that experience has prepared him well.��

“I felt like I learned a lot, but I had a good background of what was going on, especially where I work because we deal with a whole different population,” Ronny shared. “We get acute, chronic, the most vulnerable populations, everyone’s sick, everyone has a condition, a lot of psych problems but I feel blessed having that foundation. I’m ready to go.”��

Ronny��kept pushing through the program, even with the challenges of his classes going online during the shutdown in 2020.��

“It’s been a little different, especially with my daughter was on Zoom for school too so the WIFI was getting messed up and you get nervous that you’re not going to connect,” Ronny shared. “But just like anything else, we adapted. I think it worked out well, but I wouldn’t want to do it again.”��

Due to his experience and leadership in class, Ronny��was elected to serve as class speaker during his pinning ceremony.��

“I worked full-time as an LVN throughout the program. So, anyone can do this, just have the dedication and motivation,” Ronny shared.��“It literally just took a light bulb and it’s one of the most amazing experiences that I’ve ever had.��I wish I did it sooner.”��

After Ronny passes his NCLEX exam, he’s planning to take a promotion with the county hospital before he pursues his nurse practitioner degree.��

“I see psych NP Prince coming up soon, which I’m looking forward to,” he shared. “I believe that you should never stop learning and I never stop so my kids can see that and see the struggles and hurdles I went through so they know they can do it as well.”��

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WCU-OC BSN Graduate Spotlight: Kristine Bunales

�ֻ��Ƭ — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Kristine��Bunales��wasn’t always sure she wanted to be a nurse. She knew she loved helping people, but an early anatomy course almost detoured her career path.��

“I took an anatomy class and was like ‘oh, man, this is way too much to memorize,’ so I decided to do computer engineering,” she said. “Then, I took a class and was like, ‘oh, this is not for me!’ I figured, I do love working with people,��and��realized that nursing was my passion.”��

The �ֻ��Ƭ-Orange County bachelor of science in nursing graduate shared that while school has been challenging, she never wanted to give up.��

“Nursing school has been really tough but helping people, that’s just my passion,” Kristine shared. “I think it takes a certain kind of person to be a nurse. You have to be very empathetic and caring. I just want to do what I can and help patients feel better even in the smallest of ways.”��

With some of Kristine’s key courses occurring during the pandemic shutdown in 2020, switching to online courses made school more difficult for her.��

“It was really tough, for me honestly, because I’m more of a hands-on learner, so it was hard to pay attention,” she shared. “I learned I focus better when I’m outside of the house – so, whether I’d go to a coffee shop, or just outside in my backyard – that helped me a lot.”��

Throughout it all, Kristine leaned on her own personal encounter with nurses who helped her through a traumatic experience, to keep pursuing her dream.��

“I want to help people who may have also been through something similar, who went through what I went through and be that inspiration for them,” she shared. “To have nurses who are very caring and helpful and very emotionally intuitive as well – it makes all the difference. So, I want to be that for my patients in the future.”��

Now��hard at work��on passing her��RN��licensing exam, Kristine��has her eye on the prize and reflects on her pinning with gratitude.��

“We’re very grateful for having this experience and for being able to have a pinning ceremony and a celebration because I know not everyone was able to have that,” she shared. “I just want to say thank��you to West Coast��for that opportunity.”��

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WCU-OC BSN Graduate Spotlight: Mathew Songponnopachon

�ֻ��Ƭ — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Mathew��Songponnopachon��has the green light and is ready to take on the nursing licensing exam! The �ֻ��Ƭ-Orange County alum recently completed his bachelor of science in nursing degree and after a two-week break to reset, got to work on the Virtual ATI program that prepares WCU nursing graduates for the NCLEX exam.��

“I took my time on the VATI but now I’m ready to take the NCLEX exam,” Mathew shared. “The incentive to go through the ATI was nice and now I am prepared and have my test paid for.”��

Mathew moved down to Orange County from the Bay Area right before the pandemic shutdown in 2020 and has been happy to have classes resume in person.��

“Nursing school was tough and we had to make a lot of sacrifices during the pandemic with not going to clinicals and school online,” Mathew shared. “It was challenging��but��I never wanted to quit, I wanted to become a nurse.”��

Mathew’s passion for nursing started after he completed his bachelor of health science degree at San Jose State and accepted a staffing coordinator position at a Bay Area hospital.��

“I’m passionate about helping people and I want to make my parents proud,” he said. “After experiencing nursing in my last��job,��I knew I wanted to help people so I applied for nursing school and came to West Coast.”��

Discussing the differences between his two degrees, Mathew explained that the accelerated program was more challenging but worth it.��

“Time management is key because it’s an accelerated program switching classes every 10 weeks, but if you stay focused, it’s worth it,” Mathew shared. “The school was great; I learned a lot.”��

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