ACC Announces Terry Nursing Scholarship
The Arapahoe Community College (ACC) Foundation recently established the Terry Nursing Scholarship to provide financial assistance to ACC Nursing students enrolled in the LPN to Nursing program.
A gift from Littleton resident and Littleton Rotary Club member Ms. Terry M. Terry made this possible. We recently spoke with Ms. Terry about how this scholarship will Move Mountains for ACC Nursing students.
Thank you for your generous gift to the ACC Foundation in support of Nursing scholarships. Tell us about how your decades-long career as a registered nurse, independent practitioner, and OSHA industrial hygienist paved the way for you to help others?
Many people - parents, teachers, friends and co-workers - have supported me in achieving my interests and goals. I am grateful to now be in a position to provide financial support to others.
Tell us about the聽continuing professional education classes you took through ACC's Workforce & Community Programs? How have those expanded your perspective and connections within our south metro Denver communities?
Many years ago, I took a 3-credit class at ACC to evaluate my strengths and interests in my desire to move on in my career. This class enabled me to expand my vision and more fully understand my strengths and interests, so I transitioned from hospital nursing to a career as an industrial hygienist. In this role, I assessed workplaces for hazardous and toxic substances with the intent to prevent illness.
You were a member of the health and safety team that traveled overseas in 1990 after the Berlin Wall came down. What was that like for you? How did that experience shape the rest of your career?
Although I had previously traveled to Europe, traveling to Poland after the Berlin Wall fell showed me a very different side of Europe. Instead of protection from hazards, workers were paid more to take on hazardous work. Fresh fruit and vegetables were inaccessible, and preventable diseases such as lead poisoning were acceptable. From then on, I doubled down on my efforts to protect workers domestically and felt even more grateful for the health protections and standard of living in the U.S.
What was your inspiration to contribute to ACC's scholarship fund?
Nursing and preventative healthcare were very rewarding careers for me. My nursing knowledge was instrumental in assisting my parents at the end of their lives, as well as helping my husband negotiate several serious health challenges. Our country needs more healthcare professionals.聽
Did you receive scholarship assistance during your academic journey? Tell us about the impact that generosity had on your education and professional career.
I wouldn't have been able to complete my master's degree without the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) grant I received during my second semester. I had already used up all my savings and had a loan. During my career with OSHA, and then as a consultant, I was able to assist companies in adhering to safety and health standards while keeping compensation insurance costs to a minimum. My nationwide travels allowed me to enjoy a wide variety of people, places, and experiences.
How do you hope your gift will impact ACC Nursing students?
It is my hope that the Terry Nursing Scholarship helps ACC Nursing students complete their education and enjoy fulfilling careers in healthcare.
What advice might you give to current ACC Nursing students who aspire to serve others in their communities?
Remember that attaining a Nursing degree may be just the first step in your career. Embrace continuous learning. 麻豆原创 who are hospitalized, or in nursing homes, are often vulnerable and frightened. Be patient, caring, and grateful that you can be a companion to them at such a difficult time. Stay open to opportunities and true to your values and interests.
foundation [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Contact the ACC Foundation) to learn more about how your generosity can benefit our students and programs.