Carly Tiches's desire to help and care for others began when she started coaching children in gymnastics. She realized that she enjoyed giving first aid and caring for injuries. Now she is turning that passion into a career.

Three bus rides, a different language and a challenging curriculum were not roadblocks for Isaura Jimenez on her path to a nursing degree. She saw them as challenges to be met.

With a dual nurse practitioner certification in adult acute care and gerontology, Gordon enrolled in UMass Lowell’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program to learn leadership skills to help her improve care, especially for older adults.

Shelby Creamer gained the clinical experience, faculty support, good grades and passion that made her shine, helping the nursing student land a coveted "externship" with Mayo Clinic.