Jennifer Perkins

PhD ’26

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?

Keep showing up. Take brain breaks. Breathe. Be proud of yourself.

What does your first-generation experience mean for your family?

It means that all the sacrifices my family made and continues to make will have paid off. I might be first gen, but my mom and dad’s sacrifices are the main reason for my success.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

Because I care about people, and I want to make a difference.

Sumaya Uthmaan

BSN ’25

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?

Always ask for help—there are many resources available, from professors to advisors and peers. Don’t fear failure—it’s a normal part of the process, and each setback offers valuable lessons. Imposter syndrome is real, but remind yourself that you belong here just as much as anyone else. Push yourself out of your comfort zone—growth happens when you embrace challenges and unfamiliar situations. Utilize the resources around you, such as campus support services, mentorship programs, and study groups.

What does your support system look like?

My support system is a mix of family, friends, teachers, and advisors who have been instrumental in my journey. Family is essential in our culture; they provide emotional support, encouragement, and guidance. My parents and siblings have always pushed me to pursue education and reach for goals that they didn’t have the opportunity to achieve. Outside of my family, I lean on friends who understand the unique challenges of being a first-generation student and mentors and advisors who help me navigate the academic system. This solid network has given me the strength to face challenges and stay motivated.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

I chose nursing because it blends my passion for healthcare with the flexibility to explore diverse specialties and roles. My interest in healthcare started with my primary and secondary school STEM courses, where I became fascinated by the human body and medical science. Nursing stood out to me as a field that allows for hands-on patient care and the opportunity to work in various settings, from hospitals to community health. What attracted me most was the profession’s versatility and the ability to make a tangible impact on people’s lives. Whether working in critical care, geriatrics, or community health, nursing provides the flexibility to grow, adapt, and specialize in different areas throughout my career. This combination of technical skills and compassionate care made nursing the ideal path for me..

Katelyn Anderson

DNP ’25

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?

Meet with advisors and just take one quarter at a time! It’s OK if your journey looks a little different than the traditional path.

What does your first-generation experience mean for your family?

It means that I have had to learn how to navigate the complicated waters of our higher education system on my own. While my support system is fantastic, nobody in my family had attended a university before I did. I have had to meet with advisors multiple times to understand all of the ins and outs of graduation requirements. Being a first-generation student also means that I have needed to work full time throughout my college experience.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

I got into nursing because I wanted to help improve access to healthcare. I have had several family members who struggled to access healthcare due to finances, lack of transportation, or other social determinants of health. I’m getting my DNP in Population Health and Systems Leadership because I want to work on breaking down the barriers that so many people face when trying to access quality care.

Najma Mohamed

DNP ’27

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?

My advice to first-generation college students is to remember that you truly belong here! It’s common to experience imposter syndrome, which can make it tough to navigate campus and build connections. However, your hard work has brought you to this point, and our campus is enriched by your presence! If you need support, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the amazing resources available to you. During my undergraduate years at UW, I frequently visited the instructional center to ask questions and seek feedback on my assignments. This not only deepened my understanding of the material but also made me feel incredibly supported.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I’ve always enjoyed working directly with people and building those connections. The reason I chose my current graduate program is because of my experience working as an intensive care nurse and seeing first hand how our health systems can serve as revolving doors where we treat patients to the best of our abilities with no opportunity to focus on the social determinants that brought them into our care into the first place. Everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to achieve optimal health and I am really excited to learn about how we can reimagine our systems to reflect that.

Stephanie Herrera

BSN ’25

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?
Be persistent, take up space, and never give up! When you feel like you can’t continue, remember “Si Se Puede! Most importantly, never forget your roots, your culture, or where you come from!

What does your first-generation experience mean for your family?

Being a first-generation student for my family means breaking multi-generational barriers, taking up spaces traditionally not reserved for those like me, and honoring the sacrifices my parents made to pursue these opportunities.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

My interest in nursing comes from experiencing and witnessing the health disparities in my community.

Gabriela Cunanan Manila

Doctor of Nursing Practice 2026

What’s your advice to fellow first gen students?

I have had a lot of doubts going into the program especially financially. My advice is to do your best and do not doubt your abilities. There is no harm in trying, the worst you can do is not try/inactivity. There are a lot of resources available and it’s a matter of finding them by asking for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find a professional that already achieved what you strive to be, and ask them about their journey. Learn from talking to people who have gone through the process.

What does your support system look like?

I have my fiancé, friends, and therapist. I am an orphaned adult so it has been difficult but I am likewise blessed to have a second family in my friends. I also work with nurses who have been supportive of my desires to pursue graduate school.

Did you have any challenges when applying to college?

I obtained my undergraduate degree in the Philippines. That puts me under “international graduates” and even though I have been a nurse for almost 10 years in Washington I felt like I had more hoops to jump to than others. I felt like I needed to learn everything about applying to graduate school, applying for student loans, and writing the essays. It would have definitely been easier if I had support from someone in my family who has been through it.

What does your first-generation experience mean for your family?

My extended family feels happy and proud of our achievements. I consider this as their achievement as well because without them I don’t think I would be where I am at the moment.

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

I chose nursing to advocate for patients and help them navigate the healthcare system. I want to be in a position where I have the best tools to understand our patient’s personal journey and needs so that they feel like an individual whose life truly matters in a system that is designed to put profits over their health. Western medicine has become so impersonal and disease-focused. Nursing is more holistic, individual and yet system focused, that is very important to me. I learned the horrible history of the medical establishment, it’s corruption, classism and sexism, basically the way it suppressed women healers for centuries. I recognize the amount of knowledge that came out of that branch of the healing arts in history, but I cannot be a part of that branch. I believe that health is a basic right, and should be made available to learn and to impart/practice despite any constraints (education, financial, social, etc). I prefer that nursing’s healing lens has and will always be patient-centered despite the politics, and economics surrounding it.