Nick grew up in a family of medical professionals—his mother and grandmother are both nurses and his father is a paramedic. “I’ve always been surrounded with medical jargon and stories of health incidents, crises, and the rewarding benefits of providing care,” he said.
As his senior year of high school came and college neared, Nick decided to study biology with the hope of attending medical school. “However, I knew I wanted to be in the field as soon as possible and realized all of the opportunities in the nursing profession. Late into high school I changed my intended major and applied to Emmanuel's nursing program, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
He decided on Emmanuel College because of its small size and proximity to some of the country’s top healthcare institutions—such as neighboring Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and more. “I wanted to escape small town living and attend a school in a big city,” he said. “However, I was not willing to give up the educational experience I had in high school with small class sizes and individual attention from educators. Emmanuel College met all of my criteria and more when searching for a college or university.”
During the second semester of Nick’s first year, COVID-19 sent shockwaves through the nursing profession, and he found himself watching a public health crisis unfold on the news in real time and wondering if the pandemic had changed his path. “Any doubts that the pandemic created were washed away as the true nature of nursing was illuminated in the determination, resiliency, patience and caring of healthcare professionals across the world,” he said. “The pandemic has made me want to become a nurse more than ever before.”
In his first clinical experience in Spring 2021, Nick has cared for multiple COVID-positive patients. “Witnessing the tragic effects of the COVID-19 virus first-hand is a humbling experience, and knowing that I could provide any kind of relief for the patients puts everything into perspective.”
When it comes to “firsts,” Nick’s Emmanuel experience is full of them. He is a member of the first cohort of the College’s traditional undergraduate nursing program, which has created a special connection with his classmates. “Being a member of the inaugural cohort provides many opportunities for learning and growth,” he said. “Without any cohorts above to give us advice, my classmates and I have built a close-knit connection built on collaboration, communication, and a mutual appreciation for the experience that we are sharing.”
In addition to his nursing coursework and clinical work, Nick is also a Resident Assistant in a first-year residence hall, an Admissions Ambassador and a member of the Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. He credits his cocurricular activities for broadening his experiences and interactions with diverse groups of students, which will aid him in his nursing career. “As a nurse I will have patients of many different backgrounds, and I want to be able to provide inclusive care to all patients, and be educated on different cultures, religions, races, ethnicities, and identities. Involving myself on campus has provided me with so many amazing opportunities, and has helped to create many life-long friendships.”
Excited for what the future holds, Nick is confident in his future path. He plans to spend the next two years at Emmanuel striving for success in academics as a student-nurse, as well as success in his social and mental health as an individual. After graduation, he hopes to stay in Boston, gaining experience in Emergency and ICU settings, as well as spending some time as a travel nurse. His ultimate goal is to receive his Master of Science in Nursing to become a Nurse Anesthetist.
“It may be early, but what good is a plan if you do not leave room for revisions?” he said. “Simply, but most importantly, I plan to spend my next few years living a life that I can look back on in 50 years and be proud of.”
Nick grew up in a family of medical professionals—his mother and grandmother are both nurses and his father is a paramedic. “I’ve always been surrounded with medical jargon and stories of health incidents, crises, and the rewarding benefits of providing care,” he said.
For Nadel, the stage is her “second home,” and the community she’s found within Emmanuel’s Theater program, a second family. While she originally thought she would pursue college theater as a hobby, she soon realized the work would define her student experience and provide a foundation for life beyond Emmanuel.
Prior to coming to Emmanuel, Gianna had never heard of the field of sociology, but was very familiar and passionate about issues of crime and justice. Her time at Emmanuel helped her to not only put a name—but also, a purpose—to that passion.
Propelled by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, students and faculty in the Mathematics Department are studying the rate of evolution in spatially structured populations using evolutionary graph theory, which may inform the estimation of important events in our evolutionary past, such as when humans split from our closest primate relatives.
Assistant Professor of Communications and Media Studies Mark Flynn and Tristyn Suprenant ’20 take a look at food advertisements and the effects of mindfulness on television binge watching.
In collaboration with Emmanuel graduate, Kierstin Giunco ’17, Associated Professor of Education Christine Leighton and current student Kayla Balthazar '20 are working with local elementary students to deepen reading engagement and comprehension.
As her research in economics education has focused on innovation in the classroom and finding ways to help students apply economic theories to real-world situations, students are vital in every aspect to Associate Professor of Economics Rebecca Moryl’s work.
When choosing a college, Eileen knew two things for sure—that she would be able to get to know her professors and peers and that she wanted to be in an area in which she would have myriad opportunities in the research and medicine.
Growing up in a suburban town outside of Boston, going to college in the city had always been a goal for Jake. After touring Emmanuel's campus he felt it had the perfect mixture of “small campus feel and big city appeal.”
When Melissa started at Emmanuel, she chose what she believed to be two separate and distinct majors—studio art and history—to fulfill her both her personal and professional interests.
Kai has always had the inclination to try to make any situation better. When he was searching for colleges, Emmanuel's social justice mission resounded deeply with his ideals of supporting those who need the help.
Robert’s interest in the workings of the wider world grew in 2011 as the Arab Spring became international news. “I love history,” he said, “so knowing the history of the states as well as their current affairs made their actions and interactions much more interesting to me.”
Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.
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