Nicole Jennings

When Nicole Jennings discusses her passion for nursing, she recalls her upbringing in Kalamazoo and the values that have shaped her life. "I was raised by my grandmother," Jennings says. "Although we did not always have the best of everything, she was willing to do whatever she could to help someone else that may have had a greater need than our own. She planted a seed of service to mankind in my spirit." Those early life lessons have become part of Jennings' own personal and professional philosophy.

After graduating from high school, Jennings attended Michigan State University for one year. She transferred to Western Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2006. According to her, that's when she began her mission of helping others by empowering people through education.

The Nicole Jennings Scholarship was created to assist students who have a drive to help those who may need someone to intercede on their behalf. Through it, more individuals will graduate from WMU with the knowledge and power that nurses acquire, and use it to create positive change.

Jennings hopes recipients of the scholarship will be most impacted by her mission of service to all mankind. "I believe," she says, "when we find someone with a basic need in life, as nurses, it's our job to assist that person the best way we know how. Assistance can come from doing research to find better drug protocols for diabetics to doing volunteer work in the community."

She adds, "I think it's important to let the recipient know that graduating with a nursing degree does not confine one to a hospital or clinical setting. A true nursing professional is able to adapt to any situation, to use the skills and knowledge they are taught to be of value wherever they decide to work."