Professor of Nursing Stefanie Jorgensen shares the story of how one student's path connected dots across the state.

"I am a professor of nursing at FSCJ, and this past spring I taught the night bridge group on the North Campus. These students enter the nursing program with experience in the medical field that allows them to complete nursing school on a faster track.

On the first day of class during introductions, Terkedria "Keda" Henderson asked me if my mother was a teacher because of a shared last name. Indeed she is, but I dismissed it as she teaches further south and didn't think it could be her. Lo and behold, I learned that Keda had been commuting to complete her nursing studies. I was delighted to find out that my mother and a close family friend, both nurses, were her high school teachers in a health academy program, and pinned her in a ceremony similar to ours as a nursing assistant. 

On May 1, 2024, Keda completed the Associate of Science in Nursing program at FSCJ, and I was able to pin her as a graduate nurse, while my mom, Cindi Jorgensen and her colleague, Cindy Livings, were in the audience cheering her on.

It was a very cool moment for all of us and it felt very full circle!"

Pictured from left to right: Professor Stefanie Jorgensen, Terkedria Henderson, Cindi Jorgensen, Cindy Livings