Meet Our Morgantown Ambassadors

Autumn Hurst, of Grove City, Pennsylvania, already serves as a Tour Leader through the WVU Visitors Center, so she was glad to accept the School of Nursing ambassador position when the opportunity arose.

"The School of Nursing is a community, a family, and a place that can feel so intimate and accepting," Hurst said. "My second day on campus, I met other girls who had the same dreams as I did, and they are still my best friends today. To have a community like that is rare, and I think it is so important to emphasize that aspect of the WVU School of Nursing."

She wants to become a nurse because it's a career built on the basis of serving others. For high schoolers interested in nursing, her best advice is to find your passion for why you want to become a nurse — "It keeps you driven and makes the goal achievable!"

Gracie Minney, of Charleston, West Virginia, says nursing is more than just a career for her.

"It can be challenging in many ways, but it is so rewarding," Minney said. "The WVU School of Nursing creates an environment that is built for success, and it is a place where I feel sure in my decision to become a nurse and serve my community."

Becoming an ambassador was important for her, so she could help other students feel welcomed and comfortable in their decision to come to WVU.

Laci Sears, of Hinton, West Virginia, wanted to become an ambassador because of her love of nursing school.

"I love talking about our program and how it has helped to shape me into the person I am," Sears said. "You hear a lot of negative things about nursing school on social media, and I wanted to be a positive voice for future students to let them know that while it is challenging, it is so rewarding."

Ashely Hansen, of Chicago, said she had many questions before getting admitted into the program, so she wanted to be able to help students in the same situation.

"My best advice for high school students interested in nursing is to build your time management skills," Hansen said. "Through using planners, calendars, and making a study schedule, you are able to stay on top of your assignments early. This skill is very beneficial in nursing school because it allows you to balance the school workload and recreational activities."

Audrey Becket, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, remembers the anxiety she felt when applying to nursing schools and wanted to become an ambassador to help ease the process for future students.

“I want prospective students to know that the WVU School of Nursing is a great program with amazing faculty and staff who truly want to see their students succeed. Everyone is always willing to go the extra mile to help you accomplish your goals," Becket said. “There are so many opportunities to learn and grow, and you have people around you who are willing to support you along the way." 

Becket’s desire to care and make meaningful differences in patients' lives is what inspired her to become a nurse. 

Isabel Grushecky, of Morgantown, West Virginia, wanted to be an ambassador to share her love of WVU Nursing with other students. 

“The WVU School of Nursing is an environment that is educational, inspiring, and full of people you will be grateful to meet,” Grushecky said. “It has given me some of my best friends while also providing me with a valuable and meaningful education. You are surrounded by an environment where learning is encouraged, and that makes the challenges of nursing school feel incredibly worthwhile.”

She encourages students to consider nursing because of how rewarding the profession can be and the many opportunities available to nurses beyond working in a hospital.

Hannah Jeffers, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, loves talking with people about nursing and gets to do just that as an ambassador.

“At WVU, you are surrounded by people who understand what you are going through and truly want to see you succeed," Jeffers said. “The friendships I have made and the experiences I have had here have made WVU School of Nursing feel like a community rather than just a school.”

Ever since she was a little girl, Jeffers has wanted a career where she could help people. Seeing her older sister graduate from the WVU School of Nursing in 2024 inspired her to pursue the same path.

Evan Warne, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, wanted to be an ambassador to help students feel more confident about choosing nursing school. 

“The WVU School of Nursing is both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” Warne said. “Each semester brings new challenges, but looking back and seeing how much you have grown, what you have overcome, and how you have strengthened your skills to prepare yourself as a future nurse makes it all worth it.”

He encourages high school students to develop strong study habits because having a solid academic foundation will make the transition into nursing school much easier.