Volume 26, Edition 5-Nursing

Associate Degree Nursing Pinning

On May 6, Southside Virginia Community College celebrated the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students at their pinning ceremony at the Christanna Campus in Alberta.

Each year, one student from each ADN program location is selected to receive the John J. Cavan Nursing Student Award. Named in honor of former Southside Virginia Community College President Dr. John J. Cavan, who was instrumental in the development and expansion of the college’s Associate Degree Nursing program, the award recognizes students who exemplify the core values of nursing through compassion, professionalism, leadership, and patient-centered care. Recipients are selected by classmates and instructors.

Christanna Campus

Dr. Leigh Moore (Coordinator of the Associate Degree Program), Marleigh Whitacre (Keysville), Faith Schumaker (Kenbridge), Ruby Santes Vazquez (Emporia), Brooke Moran (Dinwiddie), Cierra King (South Hill), Lexi Rawlings (Emporia), Mrs. Jamie Stock (Associate Professor of Nursing), and Dr. Ramesha Walker (Professor of Nursing and PN Program Director).

Elizabeth Scott (Emporia), Faith Spruill (Blackstone), Jennifer Gonzalez Rosales (Emporia), Jenna Chandler (Brodnax), Kelsie Crump (Freeman), Tanaesia Petway (Sandford, NC), Sha-Asia Jordan (Brooklyn, NY), and Naomi Brown (Blackstone).

Naomi Brown, John J. Cavan Nursing Student Award Recipient pictured with Dr. Melissa Arthur, Dean of Nursing, Allied Health, and Natural Sciences.

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

Dr. Becky Anderson (Professor of Nursing), Cassandra Richards (South Boston), Jennie Rice (Halifax), Katelyn Ottaway (Freeman), Yakemia Mitchell (Danville), and Victoria Epps (Danville).

Destiny Liles (Bullock, NC), Jennifer Davis (South Hill), Melanie Thurman (Brookneal), Elizabeth Lindsey (Clarksville), and Sara Franklin (Lynchburg).

Jennie Rice, John J. Cavan Nursing Student Award Recipient pictured with Dr. Melissa Arthur, Dean of Nursing, Allied Health, and Natural Sciences.

Practical Nursing Pinning

On May 6, students from the Christanna Campus Practical Nursing Program celebrated their nursing pinning.

One student from the program is selected annually to receive the Patricia Archer Practical Nursing Award.

The award provides financial assistance for fees associated with required licensure exams, was established by Patricia Archer, a longtime nurse and educator who played a vital role in Southside Virginia Community College’s Practical Nursing and Nurse Aide programs for many years. The recipient is chosen based on dedication to the nursing profession, professionalism, and initiative demonstrated throughout the program.

Alexandria Ingram was named the 2026 recipient of the Patricia Archer Practical Nursing Award. She is pictured with Dr. Ramesha Walker, Professor of Practical Nursing and PN Program Director.

First Row Sitting: Hannah Banton, (Blackstone), Shamyah Cooke (South Hill), Tamia Wimbush (Danville), Marianna Williams (Lunenburg), Abbie Thompson (South Hill), Dr. Ramesha Walker (Professor of Nursing and PN Program Director), Dejah Britton (Halifax), and Nancy Lara-Juarez (Lunenburg).

Second Row: Mrs. Lori Surry (Associate Professor of Practical Nursing), Sarah Chambers (Buckingham), Zya Brown (Brodnax), Helena Bell (Alberta), Cynthia Williams (Charlotte Court House), Jaime Jackson (Cumberland), Keturah Yancey (Danville), LaShawn Ward (Nathalie), Morgan McDaniel (LaCrosse), Brianna Spain (Skipwith), Kelly Pumphrey (South Boston), Stacey Powell (Bracey), Nicole Newton (Skipwith), Alexandria Ingram (Lunenburg), Nakita Wilson (South Hill), and Mrs. Stacy Hines-Bentley (Professor of Nursing).

Nurse Aide Pinnings

On May 5th, the Estes Community Center in Chase City was filled with so much joy and pride as we officially pinned over 60 dedicated Dual Enrollment students as part of the Nurse Aide Ceremony. Seeing these future healthcare heroes take their pledge surrounded by family, friends, and instructors was a truly special moment.

DE Nurse Aide students from the Amelia-Nottoway Technical Center are Josephina Jenkins, Saaphyri Bowen, Ms. Judith Neller (instructor), Gresi Ramirez-Escalanta, Demoni Mills, and Tiffany Morgan

DE Nurse Aide students from Central High School and Randolph-Henry High School receive instruction at SVCC's John H. Daniel Campus. 

Pictured are: 

First Row: Courtney Anderson (instructor), Adriana Brooks (Randolph-Henry High School), Emily Penland (Central High School), Chloe Seamster (Central High School), Malaynah Oliveras (Central High School), Glenna Vereen (Randolph-Henry High School), Degan-Leigh Trent (Randolph Henry High School), Toni Jones (Randolph- Henry High School), and Ms. Wanda Bolton (adjunct instructor).

Second Row: MacKenzie Quinn (Central High School), Madison Daniels (Central High School), Nevaeh Staten (Randolph-Henry High School), Jessa Smith (Randolph- Henry High School), Leeya Eubanks (Randolph-Henry High School), Haley Abbot (Randolph-Henry High School), Dylan Hall (Randolph-Henry High School), Penelope Lawson (Central High School), Kaylee Pillow (Randolph-Henry High School), and Sherlyn Leon (Central High School).

DE Nurse Aide students from Greensville County High School are pictured

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First Row: Samantha Gillam, Marie Lopez-Powell, Zykala Powell, Makayla Andrews, and Ms. Mozelle Rose (instructor)

Second Row: Haley Sowards, Donasia Parker, Jakayla Mason, Katie Turner, and Desiree Darden

DE Nurse Aide students from Mecklenburg County High School are pictured

First Row: Mrs. Alexandra Bevell (instructor), Mariah Tucker, Kailyn Brown-Hayden, Marissa Davis, Zy’Kirah Logan, Amilyon Owen, Jayda Johnson, Jakaria Goode, Zeiya Watson, Carmen Lewis, Hailey Lett, Kimberly Jimenez, Keona Fairley, Omiya Bowers, Azariyah Gregory, and Mrs. Megan Mull (instructor.

Second Row: Adanna Akorjuru, Key’Nya Simmons, Libni Betancourth, Katie Lynch, Valerie Harrup, Harmoni Brogdon, Lauren Lipscomb, Dazed Fetil, Natalie McClaugherty, Katie Hayes, Natalie Adams, Jaleah Pulliam, Kaidyn Satterfield,Katie Allen, and Hailey Nichols

A Meaningful Gift That Supports SVCC Students

Giving to the SVCC Foundation gives students the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

If you are interested in supporting SVCC students, please click on the link below or contact Jamie Jones, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement by phone 434-949-1068 or by email jamie.jones@southside.edu.