Category: School of Nursing

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2023 is ready to make its mark on the world!-  We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Alexis Parker.   

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Panhellenic Council Scholarship and Irvin Kochel Leadership Scholarship. I also received an outside award from the American Association of University Women (Erie branch.)

On choosing her major: I have always had a passion for science, medicine, and helping people. I knew that nursing was for me. Penn State has a great nursing program, so it was an easy choice to make.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment is the service event that was hosted through Panhellenic Council. All of the sororities came together and collected feminine products, new clothing, and other items to make more than 100 individual grab bags that were donated to a local non-profit organization that benefits women and children in crisis. I was so happy with the teamwork that the sororities displayed and the outcome of our donation drive.

Campus involvement: I was involved in Alternative Spring Break, Alpha Sigma Alpha, National Panhellenic Council, and our campus chapter of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania.

What you might be surprised to know about her: I am a licensed cosmetologist. I hope to find a part-time job working in a medical spa, so I can utilize my nursing degree and my cosmetology experience to make people feel better about themselves.

How does she define a good life: A good life would be getting to wake up and genuinely enjoying what I am doing, whether helping somebody in the hospital, making somebody else laugh or smile, hanging out with my family, or just reading a good book.

Top priority: My top priority is getting oriented to my new career and eventually applying to graduate school. I want to obtain my doctorate in nursing and become either a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist.

Her passion: I am passionate about helping people and participating in service to others. I was honored to be able to participate in Alternative Spring Break all four years of my collegiate experience. I hope I can continue participating in service opportunities after I graduate.

Advice for first-year students: Get involved and attend events. Joining clubs and organizations will give you so much experience in team building, growing relationships with others and being a leader. I have grown so much in my leadership skills, and that would not have happened without involving myself in the wonderful clubs, organizations, and events on campus.

Alexis has accepted a job in the trauma-neuro intensive care unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2023 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Jimmy Landy.  

Major: Nursing

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I chose Penn State Behrend because it is a smaller, more intimate campus. On top of that, the natural beauty of the school really drew me in. Both the campus architecture and natural surroundings (like Wintergreen Gorge) made me love coming to campus every day.

On choosing his major: I became interested in a health profession in high school when I took a course to become a nurse aide. I originally wanted to become a doctor, but after working as a nurse aide, I learned nurses had an even greater connection to the patient.

Campus involvement: I am the executive vice president of Lion Ambassadors. I have also been involved with the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP), Behrend Honors program, and Scrubs Club. I also am a lead tutor with the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and a Lion Scout tour leader for admissions.

Awards: I received two awards in my junior year,  Outstanding Tutor of Science for my work leading group reviews for nursing classes with the LRC, and the Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador award for my dedication to the Lion Ambassadors club.

What makes him unique: I believe I’m a talented writer. One day, I hope to publish a book series. I am passionate about my writing; I could talk about it for hours and hours.

A champion for children: Ever since I started working with kids when I was 16, I have been astonished that another person could harm a child. This was one of the driving factors in my decision to focus on pediatric emergency nursing. I want to be on the front lines of helping to protect children.

Advice for first-year students: I would tell a new student to take advantage of all the resources we have to offer. Our school has free tutoring, exploratory services for undecided students, and career services that all help you excel in class and help you to find where you belong. I would also encourage students to make meaningful connections with their professors, speak up in class, go to office hours, and never be afraid to ask for help.

With a little help from his friends: It would be hard to pick a favorite memory from my time at Behrend, but looking back, I know that I could never have done it without my best friends and study buddies, Lauren Teresi and Lexie Parker. Any time we are together there’s a 25 percent chance of studying and a 75 percent chance we’re going to tell stories, make each other laugh, and get nothing done. Even though we may not have been the most productive when we were together, the support we offered each other was invaluable.

After his graduation in May, Jimmy plans on working in a pediatric emergency room. One day, he hopes to return to school to become a nurse practitioner and possibly teach.

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Grant Oishi: 

Major: Nursing

Minor: Biology

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: The Clark Family Scholarship and the Class of 1922 Memorial Scholarship, as well as several grants to aid in my undergraduate research.

Why did you choose Behrend? Initially I did not. I applied to the nursing program and the Schreyer Honors College at University Park but was not accepted. So, I did some research and found Behrend, which had a BSN nursing program and campus honors program. Erie also had a few major hospitals, which was a key factor, as I wanted the best clinical experiences. I applied and was accepted to the nursing and Behrend Honors Program.

Serendipity: It turns out that not being able to attend the campus I thought I wanted to attend was one of the best things to happen to me. At Behrend, I immediately made connections with my peers and faculty, was able to easily get involved in clubs, and being so far from home, I was forced to grow as an individual.

On choosing nursing: I chose nursing for the reason most people do – I like helping people. It’s incredibly rewarding to care for someone and watch them improve, knowing that you played a role in their recovery. It’s also very humbling to have the responsibility of caring for individuals on some of the worst days of their lives. Nursing also involves a great deal of critical thinking, especially in the ICU. However, I have always enjoyed my science classes the most, which is why I have also pursued research and a minor in Biology.

Proudest accomplishments: I am proud of a lot of what I have done at Behrend, especially since so many things were new for me. I held executive board positions in multiple clubs, became a Schreyer scholar and completed a thesis, became a tutor, and won scholarships. But the thing I’ll carry with me are the relationships I made with students, staff, and faculty that have shaped my time at Behrend and the trajectory of my future.

Involvement: I am the treasurer of Scrubs Club, a pre-health club that exposes students to different disciplines within the field of healthcare through guest speakers, advising, and volunteer opportunities. I joined Cultural Cooking Club (CCC) my first year and have served as everything from secretary to president of the club. CCC’s mission is to explore the world and its many cultures through the lens of regional and national dishes.

Awards: In 2019, I received the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, which is given to the top five juniors and seniors.

Don’t give up: I eventually joined the Schreyer Honors College during my junior year, which proves that just because one path to your goal is blocked, doesn’t mean another one won’t open up.

The good life, defined: A good life involves happiness, fulfillment, and purpose in whatever forms those come in. Material possessions, recognition, and even your GPA often steal the spotlight, but at the end of the day, our close personal relationships are our greatest legacy and what I believe matter the most.

He’s a music man: Beyond science and medicine, I love music. I think it’s amazing that combinations of sound can have such a profound an effect on us and be so evocative. I’d like to learn how to play a few instruments now that I’ll have more free time.

Advice for new students: Get organized before the semester starts. Email your professor before the semester starts to ask if you actually need to buy the textbook for the class (most will be honest). Use Google Calendar (or something similar) to keep your schedule organized – it’s free, easy to use, and synchs across devices.

Following his graduation in May, Grant plans to take time for a cross-country solo trip to explore more of the country and scout locations where he might want to live. He’ll then look for a nursing position in a critical care specialty, preferably trauma medicine. He plans to return to school in the future to work on a graduate degree in the sciences or as a nurse anesthetist.

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Marie Tomasula: 

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Buffalo

Why she chose Behrend: I love the small class sizes, which give you a chance to really get to know the faculty and staff. I fell in love with Behrend as soon as I toured it. I knew it would make a great home away from home.

On choosing Nursing: I have always been passionate about caring for others, especially in medicine. I want to give back like the amazing nurses who have cared for loved ones in my family.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Stepping out of my comfort zone in my personal and academic life. I joined several clubs and organizations and did things that I could never have imagined myself doing before. Behrend has allowed me to grow in ways that I never thought I could.

Campus involvement: Member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and the Student Nurses’ Association Pennsylvania (SNAP), where I’ve held several leadership positions. I served as a Welcome Week guide in my sophomore year.

On being kind: I would say my ability to easily empathize and relate to others makes me unique. I love being able to connect with people and to hear their stories. Making others smile is what makes me happy. I enjoy spreading kindness, especially to those who need it most.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I played the flute for nine years and participated in the New York State Conference All-State Wind Ensemble during my junior year of high school. Playing flute was my “escape” during my high school years.

Her definition of the good life: Living a life that you are proud of. I am a firm believer that our life should consist of things that fulfill us and make us the happiest. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and do things that feed your soul.

For the kids: I am very passionate about pediatric oncology. I am currently a member of the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, a collaborative network of nonprofits, corporations, and individuals from 36 states and five countries, supporting and serving the childhood cancer community. We work to help families experience improved outcomes through collaborative projects, optimizing research efforts, and by creating awareness of childhood cancer.

On helping others fight cancer: I’m currently working as a nurse intern on the leukemia unit at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. It has helped me to understand the role of an oncology nurse, and I have loved being able to help patients and their families during a very hard time in their lives.

Advice for first-year students: Step out of your comfort zone. College can be intimidating in your first year, but going to events on campus and getting involved can really transform your entire college experience.

After her graduation in May, Marie plans to work as a Registered Nurse at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.