Onward and upward for Northwestern State’s fall 2024 graduates

NATCHITOCHES - Commencement is an important milestone for all students, cause for celebration and often the gateway towards advancing careers or continuing on with further education. Northwestern State University's fall graduating class is one of diverse people and backgrounds whose time at NSU will be remembered as a launch pad to fulfilling personal goals, serving others expanding resilience.

One of those is Brooklyn Guerra of Abbeville, a sports media major graduating with a degree in communications. At NSU, Guerra was an ROTC cadet, Battalion communications officer, honor student and member of the Purple Pizzazz Pom Line. Guerra began dancing at age four, performing on dance teams throughout high school and college.

"Last semester I decided that I wanted to secretly audition for a professional dance team despite having one more semester of college left," she said. During a month-long audition process, Guerra went through three rounds of auditions before the finals, which included a professional job interview, team and NFL knowledge quiz, fitness, voting and performances.

"I now have the honor of representing and being an NFL cheerleader for the Houston Texans."

After making the team, Guerra moved to Houston and finished her NSU coursework virtually. She will return to Natchitoches for graduation but leave shortly after the ceremony for rehearsals to prepare for a performance with Beyoncé Knowles during the NFL Christmas halftime show.

"I would like to mention that I am a first-generation college student and I am so excited that my family gets to see me walk across the stage and witness this monumental accomplishment," Guerra said. "I am truly blessed to have this opportunity all while fulfilling mine and my family's dream of being a college graduate."

Four students earning the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree participated in a life-changing medical mission trip earlier this year to San Raymundo, Guatemala, through Refuge International, an organization that brings together medical and non-medical professionals to serve in medical clinics in remote parts of Guatemala.

Stanley Owusu Danso, Stephen Harms, Jawun Jiles and Aaron Navarre, who are all graduating from the DNP's Nurse Anesthesia track, joined the trip this past summer to serve in all aspects of anesthesia. All were motivated by a desire to use their skills in anesthesia and healthcare to help communities in need.

"I decided to participate in the mission because of my first-hand experience with the medical needs of underserved populations," Danso said. "In my home country of Ghana, access to healthcare is very limited, and I frequently consider how I might return to contribute toward improving the situation. I did not hesitate when I learned of this opportunity to help provide care to the people of San Raymundo."

The students provided anesthesia for a total of 83 surgeries, the most surgeries ever performed in San Raymundo by Refuge International. Many families camped overnight and slept in the street near the medical building to receive treatment. All agreed that practicing in unfamiliar conditions with limited resources changed their perspectives and strongly recommend a similar experience to all healthcare providers.

"It was very rewarding to be able to play a small role in impacting the lives of those we served in San Raymundo," Danso said.

As the semester concluded, Danso was named Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Student of the Year for his cohort. His family traveled to Natchitoches from Africa to attend graduation.

Another graduating doctoral candidate, Craig Leager of Monroe, Iowa, was recently recognized by Mid-South Educational Research Association for outstanding research titled "The Community College Presidency and Why Qualified Candidates Are Saying 'No Thanks.'" Leager is earning his Ed.D. in Adult Learning and Development, which focuses on developing community college leaders and working with adult learners.

Leager is executive dean of Instruction at Indian Hills Community College (Iowa). He has had a long career as an educator and administrator beginning as an elementary, middle and high school teacher and principal for Des Moines Public Schools, science specialist with Great Prairie Area Education Agency, regional education director with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and executive director at National Institute for STEM Education in Texas.

"The Ed.D. Program at NSU has been invaluable for me to gain broader perspectives and knowledge to support me in my leadership role at a community college," Leager said. "As I ponder my professional future, the Ed.D. has positioned me to explore a variety of executive level opportunities in higher education. My professional goals have always involved enhancing my sphere of influence through roles where I can lead and guide improvement efforts for educators and ultimately student learning. NSU has helped me continue to fulfil these goals."

Kelli Loomis of Vivian, a 40-year-old non-traditional student and married mother of three, is a summer graduate participating in fall commencement to collect her bachelor's degree in social work. Though the journey was rewarding, it was not without obstacles.

"My husband was deployed overseas, our oldest son was starting high school, I worked full time while going to school full time, my kid's extra activities, our oldest graduating and starting college, senior celebrations and my health was not well," she said. "Some days I did not know whether I was coming or going. Through prayer I was able to daily find balance."

Loomis stayed motivated by her desire to make a positive impact on others.

"Social work combines my love for people, my compassionate nature and my dedication to make a difference within social justice," she said. "I am proud to say I successfully completed each semester with a 4.0 GPA.

"Although I was an online student, the NSU Social Work Department is a family. I am honored to have learned from the best of the best. I have been accepted into the graduate program at Louisiana State University where I will start my master's in social work in Spring 2025. I can wholeheartedly say that each faculty member in the department believed in me and my success in completing the program and believed I could overcome anything thrown my way."

NSU will award diplomas to summer and fall graduates during three Commencement ceremonies Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Thursday, Dec. 19 in Prather Coliseum. All ceremonies will be live streamed via www.nsula.edu. For a detailed schedule, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and candidate information, visit www.nsula.edu/graduation.

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