This year’s student speakers bring a swell of wisdom, experience, and inspiration to the stage. We are grateful for their journeys and aspirations and couldn’t be more proud to have them represent Aspen University.
Nadege Yolande Nganso
Nadege is honored to have been selected as a student commencement speaker and wants to capitalize on this opportunity to share her story: the challenges, experiences, and wisdom
She was born and raised in the African nation of Cameroon, and for the past 18 years, she has been living and working in southeast Virginia. Nadege is graduating from Aspen’s DNP program, where she has shined as an extraordinary and dedicated student. Nadege credits much of her success in the DNP program to the collaboration between herself and Aspen’s faculty. She says the keys to success in school are staying the course and trusting the process, using your resources, acknowledging your weaknesses, doing your part, and graciously accepting feedback and acting on it.
COVID played a pivotal role in her choice of DNP project after witnessing firsthand the virus’s effect on the respiratory system. She felt the need to implement an evidence-based intervention that would allow early recognition of the virus, allow prompt treatment of symptomatic patients, and mitigate the risk of spreading infections.
“Making people smile makes me smile”
Nadege loves to cook and shop and uses these outlets to decompress from school and work. She loves to watch the sun set and rise and birds migrate across the sky. Her career goals are to create a sustainable culture of safety around patient care delivery. She is dedicated to a lifelong journey of learning, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve others. She looks forward to mentoring future generations and sharing her insight.
For those following in her footsteps, she says, “Don’t ever lose hope. Always hold yourself and the rest of your team accountable, and remember your why!”
Congratulations, Nadege!
Shawn Sano Jones.
Hailing from Clovis, California, Shawn Sano Jones has earned her Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Learning with a specialization in High Education Leadership. She is also honored to have been selected as a student speaker, and she looks forward to meeting some of her instructors in person.
Shawn is a full-time chemistry professor at Clovis Community College, and she believes her experience at Aspen has helped her become a better teacher. She chose to attend Aspen because it was 100% online, and she grew to have a great appreciation for the organization of all the courses.
To escape the stress of school and work, Shawn has taken to fly fishing with her husband and father, and last month, she participated in her first tournament!
Shawn has career ambitions of transitioning from professor to dean and continuing to teach online educational courses. The best advice she would give current students is to interact with their instructors and fellow classmates, as it sets a foundational network and support system that is conducive to success in school. To Shawn, the key to success was staying motivated and remembering her why. For those interested in attending a program at Aspen University, Shawn would want them to know that the expectations are clear and the faculty is helpful and committed to your success.
Shawn is inspired by her two boys, who are her biggest supporters and main motivations for continuing her education and completing her degree. As a chemistry professor, she admits that blowing things up makes her happy.
Congratulations, Shawn!
Jessica Belford
Jessica is graduating from Aspen’s RN to BSN program. She is incredibly honored to have been selected to speak at commencement this year and deeply touched that her story had a large enough impact to have been selected.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Jessica worked as a full-time nurse during the duration of her schooling. Although she found this challenging, it helped Jessica remain focused and really hone her time management skills.
Jessica says she is happy to have chosen Aspen University. Aside from the tuition payment plan, Jessica is grateful for Aspen’s faculty resources, too. She wants to give a shout-out to her counselor, Fred Roberts, whose support and guidance she is incredibly grateful for, as well as her professors, who “went out of their way to connect in “real-time” with me.”
Jessica says the keys to success in school are remaining disciplined, developing good time management skills, and sustaining that internal rudder that drives one to remain curious and improve daily. Her mother always said to live in a way that “when you look in the mirror, you like who you see.” Jessica encourages everyone to be compassionate, empathize, and not take things so personally.
“The words you speak become the house you live in”
Jessica’s professional goals are to be a nurse manager and own a yoga studio. She wants the world to know that she is always learning and growing and that though her journey is far from perfect, it is unique and worth sharing in hopes of inspiring others. Her advice to her fellow graduates is to remain curious and committed to your growth, that “studentship never ends.” And for those interested in attending Aspen University, she suggests talking to graduates of the program to gather a greater understanding of the programs available.
Congratulations, Jessica!