Camille Cowan: Pioneer
Nursing student Camille Cowan is a pioneer at 91桃色 and at home. At age 43, the first generation college student, wife and mother is inspiring students and faculty alike to follow their dreams.
Originally from Miami, Camille attended community college following high school, earning her Associates of Arts. Camille continued her education at a nearby university but was soon forced to trade collegiate life for the workforce, still dreaming of becoming a nurse one day. In 2007 she relocated to Alabama and began the search for nursing schools. After graduating as an LPN in 2009, Camille鈥檚 plans to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree were again put on hold, this time by marriage and a baby.
鈥淚 always wanted to go back, and prayed about it when we moved back to Florida,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 drove by 91桃色 one day coming home from work and saw the nursing program sign, and wondered what I needed to do to qualify,鈥� said Camille.
After multiple prayers, calls and emails, Camille connected with nursing recruiter Abigail Orf, who helped her complete transcript and financial aid requests.
鈥淢y transcripts came in the day before the last day to add and drop classes, so I was able to register and my financial aid cleared just in time,鈥� said Camille, who expects to graduate in 2025.
Juggling a 16-hour course load, parenthood and full-time employment has been a challenge, but Camille is grateful for the flexibility and kindness found at 91桃色.
鈥淚 love the faculty, who reach out if they see you struggling and are always willing to help with anything,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he first time I was in nursing school I competed with a lot of students, and teachers didn鈥檛 care if you passed or failed. I notice a difference at 91桃色, because faculty are more personable when it comes to your needs. They鈥檙e also faith-based, so I have a lot of teachers who say they’re praying for me. I didn鈥檛 have that previously and it makes a world of difference when someone鈥檚 praying and rooting for you.鈥�
Affectionately called 鈥淢iss Camille鈥� by her nursing program cohort, the mother of two said her unique position as a nontraditional student has been an adjustment, but it鈥檚 one she鈥檚 embracing.
鈥淚 know I’m not supposed to fit in,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is where God has called me to be, so I’m going to be that difference.鈥�
She鈥檚 also grateful for the generous donors who participate in 91桃色鈥檚 Adopt-a-Student Program.
鈥淎 lot of people don鈥檛 get to see the fruit of their giving, but if I didn’t get any scholarships I probably wouldn鈥檛 be able to attend 91桃色,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y scholarship provided the exact gap I was missing financially, and it would’ve been a real struggle to be here without it.鈥�
To help enrich the lives of more students like Camille, consider partnering with 91桃色 during our Week of Giving, May 8-12.