November 2023: Student Success

A nursing student, Felicity Mader, has been recognized as the November 2023 Student Success Story at Gillette College. Felicity was nominated by her dean, Lindsay Wakefield, for this honor after watching her persevere throughout her student career. She recommended Felicity for recognition because of her hard work, consistency, and perseverance. She frequently moved before attending Gillette College due to her father’s military career, moving almost every two years. However, she had family in Wyoming, leading her back to this area to start her secondary education. Felicity knew she wanted to be a nurse, and the tests to get into school wouldn’t stop her from going. After taking the HESI entrance exam three times, she passed on the fourth attempt. The setbacks didn’t stop there, struggling to pass her first semester. However, she was not discouraged and returned determined to pass. Upon returning, she has since excelled in the classroom. “She came back the next year, has struggled with test taking, has worked her butt off, has been a great clinician, asked A LOT of questions, and was one of the top testers on her last test (in third semester – often thought the hardest semester)! Hard work, consistency, and perseverance!” said Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Lindsay Wakefield. Felicity was recognized at the Advisory Board Meeting on November 8 and the Board of Trustees Meeting on November 15. We are lucky to have students with tenacity like Felicity! Congratulations on your success so far here at Gillette College!