Featured Articles
In Appreciation: 2023 O.P. Kretzmann Award Winners
A degree from Valpo opens doors and allows our graduates to continue the tradition of leadership and service that is characteristic of our University. The values that are developed as a Valpo student are carried on wherever our graduates go, and this year’s O.P. Kretzmann Award winners, Kim Genovese ’22 G.C., Cynthia Felton ’75, and Cheryl Slack ’78, ’15 DNP are a testament to that. The O.P. Kretzmann Award honors alumni who have made a special contribution to the development of Valparaiso University through long-time and exemplary service as a University employee for at least 15 years. This year’s recipients, all retired faculty members from the College of Nursing and Health Professions, are being recognized for giving back to the students and campus community that meant so much to their success. “I was a faculty member in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and enrolled in this new Certificate…
Preparing Students to Create a Fitter Future
Starting in the fall of 2023, Valparaiso University’s kinesiology program, formerly part of the College of Business, has been split into two divergent majors: sports management (which is remaining in the College of Business) and exercise science, which has found a new home with the College of Nursing and Health Professions. According to Peixing Jiang, Ed.D., director of the new program and associate professor of exercise science, the split will better serve individual students’ specific needs and interests. “Kinesiology is a very broad concept,” says Professor Jiang. “You can have sports management, physical education, exercise science, recreation, all under that subject. It was too extreme, too many different subjects. Sports management and exercise science fall under the same subject but don’t have a lot of overlapping content.” Exercise science, as the name implies, revolves around the science of physical activity geared towards bettering one’s condition. The major’s website describes it…
Undergraduate Research Tackles Student Wellness
At Valpo, our students are not afraid of taking the lead on advanced academic endeavors, and they are always looking to learn something new. And something that is uniquely Valpo is their opportunity for undergraduate research. We know that the best way to prepare our students for the rigor of research in their fields of study is to simply allow them to do it right here on campus. “The research that our students are doing in the College of Nursing and Health Professions is graduate level research,” says Theresa Kessler, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN, Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Science. “We treat our students like professionals and I am so impressed by their work. They are eager to learn and ready to put the concepts they learn into practice.” A team of undergraduate researchers at the College of Nursing and Health Professions took part in a…
Taking Ideas Abroad and Bringing Others Back Home
Theresa Kessler, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN, Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Sciences, represented Valparaiso University abroad in July, 2023 at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Congress held in Abu Dhabi. While there, she gave a podium presentation on the importance of short-term study abroad and the benefits of exposure to different cultures and teaching strategies, and a poster presentation on work done in collaboration with Valpo undergraduate students on high blood pressure among college students. The International Nursing Research Congress is an annual event that takes place in a new city each year. While the event had to be remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, in-person conferences have now resumed. The event includes presentations from international researchers as well as panels, career advising sessions, cultural experiences and workshops for enriching the professional development of nursing professionals and educators. Professor Kessler…
Former Valpo Student-Athletes Combat COVID-19 as Frontline Workers
In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, former Valparaiso University student-athletes working in the medical field across the country have gone beyond the expected in their efforts to combat the virus and treat patients in need of their care. Numerous former Valpo student-athletes transitioned from their normal areas of medical expertise to assist on COVID-19 units and worked additional hours to help the fight against the virus. Tristan De La Rosa ’18 serves as an emergency-room nurse in Garden Grove, California at the biggest trauma hospital in Orange County, located next to Disneyland. The former Valpo football player has worked at least four shifts per week since the beginning of March, including 10 16-hour shifts. At one point, he worked 11 shifts consecutively. “At the height of the pandemic, our whole hospital was maxed out, so we had to hold patients in the ER,” De La Rosa…
Trading the Classroom for the Front Lines
In 2020, Jessica Glinski ’22 DNP answered the call to take a leave of absence from the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at Valparaiso University to serve on the front lines of the pandemic with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This sacrifice was a difficult decision, but it proved as educational — and perhaps even more impactful — as time in the classroom for Jessica. Jessica originally signed up as a volunteer with FEMA in 2012 after returning from serving as an E4 medic in the military during two wars. Her first and only deployment with the organization prior to the pandemic was during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the COVID-19 pandemic first raged across the United States in the spring of 2020, the Kouts, Indiana, native found herself wishing she could do more. Jessica is constantly learning and challenging herself to better care…
Occupational Ambition
Sara Walters ’21 MOT, LOTR, BCP, is the first student to enroll in Valparaiso University’s doctor of occupational therapy program. Thanks to career advancement and outstanding networking, Sara found Valpo’s program to fit her life as a working professional while moving her closer to her dreams. As an instructor of occupational therapy at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Sara is juggling her full-time job, growing family, and continuing education through Valpo’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program. Sara has been able to balance her workload and maximize focus and understanding with each topic throughout her studies thanks to the program’s design and emphasis on flexibility. “The live, online meeting format for classes has been extremely helpful for me as a working professional,” Sara says. “Depending on the students’ availability, a course time is selected — usually evening — and Professor Scott is available for appointments during…
Nursing Powerful Connections
Jordan Anderson ’17, RN, is confident her time at Valpo helped her discern the path to her future as a nurse practitioner. Now back in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota, Jordan is a floor nurse with hospice patients at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic system, while she completes graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Her interest in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner came during Jordan’s time at Valpo. “I had a dream that my great-grandparents were sitting at a table talking about me and what I was supposed to do,” Jordan says. “The next day I had a home care clinical and I went to a patient’s home with the nurse I was shadowing. Her blood pressure was really low, so we called an ambulance for her. While we waited for it to arrive, I was holding her hand and talking her through the…
The Pursuit of Quality
When making plans for the future, Logan Trento ’19 BHCL, ’20 MHA, is dreaming big. After receiving his bachelor’s in healthcare leadership from Valparaiso University, Logan immediately dove into the master of health administration program to further develop his passion for helping others through quality in healthcare. Logan discovered the field of quality, a health administration specialty involving creative problem solving and interacting with many levels and designations within the healthcare field, while pursuing healthcare leadership as an undergraduate. He realized this field would combine his strengths in leadership and creativity, while allowing him to help others on a larger scale. “A big part of my brain focuses on finding a lot of solutions and challenging everything. Quality forces me to be creative and constructive to navigate obstacles and discover new processes,” Logan says. During 2020, Logan completed an internship at Northwest Health Porter, formerly Porter Regional Hospital, with the…
Public Health Graduates Aid in Pandemic
The public health program recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students, who have all found employment or enrolled in graduate school since their graduation. Many in the Class of 2020 were able to help in public health efforts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by working as contact tracers, such as Ty Snarr ’20 and Connor Martin ’20. Ty spent the summer calling close contacts for those who tested positive for COVID-19 in his hometown in Clinton County, Ohio. In this role, he witnessed the impact of his degree during a global pandemic. Connor, a double major in public health and sociology, had been accepted to attend graduate school at IUPUI and wanted to become familiar with the area before he began his studies. He began contact tracing for the state of Indiana so that he could have first-hand experience working in a pandemic response before starting his master…
Celebrating Valpo’s First MSPA Class
In September, Valparaiso University’s graduating master of science in physician assistant studies students were honored in a white coat ceremony that recognized their accomplishments and signified their entrance into the healthcare field. Nineteen students comprised the first cohort of the five-year program that they began in 2015. After finishing their clinical rotations in seven core disciplines this past year, graduates followed their passions through roles in many health professions. Several graduates accepted positions in Northwest Indiana to increase access to healthcare in the region. Megan McDaniel ’18, ’20 M.S. is employed at Beacon Medical Group Gynecologic Oncology in South Bend, Indiana. Amelia Schroeder ’18, ’20 M.S. is working in pulmonology and critical care at Chest Disease Associates in Merrillville, Indiana. John Kern ’18, ’20 M.S. works at Mullally Sports and Family Medicine in Crown Point, Indiana. Congratulations to the entire inaugural cohort of Valpo MSPA students!
A Flexible Future
Health science at Valparaiso University allows students the flexibility to explore many career paths or graduate school programs, both clinical and non-clinical, by providing a foundation of interdisciplinary knowledge. Many students, like Joseph “Joey” Hess III ’20 and Gianna Prucha ’21, study health science due to its direct admittance into the master of science in physician assistant studies program, but they discover a future-affirming undergraduate program in the process. “After looking into different programs, I knew I wanted to pursue a profession that was more focused on the human connection,” Joey says. “I like the hands-on approach that health science offers and the ability to spend more time with patients as a physician assistant.” After researching other programs, Gianna’s decision to study health science at Valpo was an easy one. “You can’t find a program like Valpo’s anywhere else,” Gianna says. “I didn’t know health science was a degree until…
A New Career Accelerated
Hala Filipowicz ’20 spent just 15 months in Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, but its mission made a lasting impression on how she viewed her role in the medical field. “I don’t have to hold a doctorate to pursue great opportunities in healthcare like nursing,” Hala says. “I’m able to work with many populations of patients and serve real needs in communities.” While she admitted the accelerated nursing program presented challenges, Hala found a silver lining through the discovery of a career. “I had to put a lot of effort into those 15 months, but I was surrounded by supportive peers and faculty members along the way,” Hala says. “Even though it’s hard, it’s worth it. The challenging, yet safe, learning environment prepares students for a high-stress career in nursing. Working in a hospital is a completely new life, but I feel like I was prepared the…
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Grounded in Purpose, Sam Gountounas ’25 Dreams of Radiating Compassion in Pediatric Nursing
For senior nursing student Sam Gountounas ’25, compassion and care will always go hand-in-hand — in the classroom, on the soccer field, and when caring for every patient. Grounded in the values of our nationally ranked College of Nursing and Health Professions, Sam plans to use her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to fulfill a lifelong calling. “For some reason, I’ve always been called to the healthcare field. With nursing specifically, it’s something you can go into right out of college,” Sam shares. Doctors and physician assistants, on the other hand, require two or more additional years of study. While Sam can see herself going back to school to become a nurse practitioner or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in the future, nursing just offers a versatility that many other healthcare professions don’t. “There’s also a large variety of nursing positions to choose from. There [are] different floors…
Grounded in Community, We Radiate Resilience | The Story of Braulio Alcala ’23
Braulio Alcala’s ’23 journey to Valpo was nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in California, Braulio balanced his role as an advocate for his family, whose primary language was Spanish, while overcoming personal and academic obstacles. His determination to become a nurse grew from these early experiences. “I’ve always liked being an advocate,” Braulio shared. “In nursing, you’re a big advocate for your patient, and I had that instinct early on.” Although clear about his calling, Braulio’s path to Valpo’s accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program wasn’t easy. After years of working in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and an emergency medical technician (EMT) while taking prerequisite courses at a community college, he applied to nursing programs across California; however, acceptance into those competitive programs proved elusive. “I applied up and down the state… I always told myself, whatever school picks me up, I want to be…
Grounded in Empathy, We Radiate Leadership | The Story of Aly Kinzie ’19, ’20 MHCA
Aly Kinzie's ’19, ’20 MHCA, journey is one of growth, passion, and dedication — all illuminated by the light that Valpo nurtured within her. As a local student interested in healthcare-related programs, Valpo was always on Aly’s radar. The University’s reputation, paired with familial connections, made it an easy choice. But it was the sense of community and opportunity that sealed the deal: "I toured campus and fell in love." While financial considerations often play a significant role, Aly chose Valpo over less expensive options because she recognized the unique value of the education she would receive. "I did have options for full ride [scholarships], but I felt the value of Valpo was well worth the price." Scholarships and merit-based aid further simplified her decision as 98% of undergraduate Beacons receive some form of financial assistance; however, for Aly, being a part of Valpo was about more than just receiving…
A Balanced Life Leading to Bright Outcomes for Nadia Paul ’25 DNP, MSN, ACNP-BC, FHM
Nadia Paul’s ’25 DNP, MSN, ACNP-BC, FHM, journey to Valparaiso University’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program began unexpectedly. “I was interviewing a candidate for a nurse practitioner position, and I noticed she had graduated from Valpo’s bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to DNP program. She was very prepared both clinically and professionally,” Nadia recalls. This serendipitous encounter sparked Nadia’s interest in Valpo, leading her to explore our offerings further. Valpo’s asynchronous coursework was a significant draw. “The flexibility has been phenomenal,” Nadia enthuses. Whether on a cruise or during a family vacation, she could keep up with her studies, thanks to the program’s accommodating structure. This adaptability was crucial for Nadia, allowing her to integrate her education seamlessly into her busy life. Nadia’s decision to pursue her education at Valpo was deeply influenced by her desire to maintain a balance between her demanding professional role and her family…
Game, Set, Match: Olivia Czerwonka ’23, ’26 DNP, Aces Leadership and Sisterhood In Valpo Tennis
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to win a championship with your best friend? For Olivia Czerwonka ’23, ’26 DNP, that dream is a reality. As one of Valpo’s most successful tennis players in history, Olivia currently holds both of the program's singles and doubles records, has previously been named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Year, and won the conference championship title twice — one of which was won alongside her own sister. Olivia started playing tennis when she was just four years old. Her 18-year-long journey was not only inspired by her love for the sport but also by her highly successful sister, Claire Czerwonka ’21, ’24 DNP. “Claire started playing first. Obviously, as the younger sister, you’ve got to do everything your older sister does,” Olivia says. From there, competing at a collegiate level became one of her ultimate goals. “I always wanted…
In Appreciation: 2023 O.P. Kretzmann Award Winners
A degree from Valpo opens doors and allows our graduates to continue the tradition of leadership and service that is characteristic of our University. The values that are developed as a Valpo student are carried on wherever our graduates go, and this year’s O.P. Kretzmann Award winners, Kim Genovese ’22 G.C., Cynthia Felton ’75, and Cheryl Slack ’78, ’15 DNP are a testament to that. The O.P. Kretzmann Award honors alumni who have made a special contribution to the development of Valparaiso University through long-time and exemplary service as a University employee for at least 15 years. This year’s recipients, all retired faculty members from the College of Nursing and Health Professions, are being recognized for giving back to the students and campus community that meant so much to their success. “I was a faculty member in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and enrolled in this new Certificate…
Preparing Students to Create a Fitter Future
Starting in the fall of 2023, Valparaiso University’s kinesiology program, formerly part of the College of Business, has been split into two divergent majors: sports management (which is remaining in the College of Business) and exercise science, which has found a new home with the College of Nursing and Health Professions. According to Peixing Jiang, Ed.D., director of the new program and associate professor of exercise science, the split will better serve individual students’ specific needs and interests. “Kinesiology is a very broad concept,” says Professor Jiang. “You can have sports management, physical education, exercise science, recreation, all under that subject. It was too extreme, too many different subjects. Sports management and exercise science fall under the same subject but don’t have a lot of overlapping content.” Exercise science, as the name implies, revolves around the science of physical activity geared towards bettering one’s condition. The major’s website describes it…
Undergraduate Research Tackles Student Wellness
At Valpo, our students are not afraid of taking the lead on advanced academic endeavors, and they are always looking to learn something new. And something that is uniquely Valpo is their opportunity for undergraduate research. We know that the best way to prepare our students for the rigor of research in their fields of study is to simply allow them to do it right here on campus. “The research that our students are doing in the College of Nursing and Health Professions is graduate level research,” says Theresa Kessler, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN, Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Science. “We treat our students like professionals and I am so impressed by their work. They are eager to learn and ready to put the concepts they learn into practice.” A team of undergraduate researchers at the College of Nursing and Health Professions took part in a…
Taking Ideas Abroad and Bringing Others Back Home
Theresa Kessler, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN, Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Sciences, represented Valparaiso University abroad in July, 2023 at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Congress held in Abu Dhabi. While there, she gave a podium presentation on the importance of short-term study abroad and the benefits of exposure to different cultures and teaching strategies, and a poster presentation on work done in collaboration with Valpo undergraduate students on high blood pressure among college students. The International Nursing Research Congress is an annual event that takes place in a new city each year. While the event had to be remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, in-person conferences have now resumed. The event includes presentations from international researchers as well as panels, career advising sessions, cultural experiences and workshops for enriching the professional development of nursing professionals and educators. Professor Kessler…
Want to Become a Physician Assistant? This Valpo Alumna Has Some Advice
Considering a career as a physician assistant? We know just the person to help light the way. Anastacia Mesina '18, '20, knew she wanted to go into the medical field since she was in high school. Her family served as her inspiration with her grandfather working as a family medicine doctor and her mother working as an accountant at the nearby Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Throughout that time, Anastacia was continuously volunteering in local hospitals, getting to know patients, and assisting staff members. But like many of us, her path wasn’t quite as clear as her passion. “I just didn’t know which route to take. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor or something else,” Anastacia shares, “but then I met a physician assistant who really sparked my interest.” This spark of an idea soon fanned into flame once…
Fall 2023 Edition of Valpo Magazine
Another edition of the Valpo Magazine is here, now in its all-new, digital format at valpomagazine.com. In this inaugural online edition, you will meet the newest head men’s basketball coach, Roger Powell Jr. and learn about his plans for bringing Valpo athletics into a new era. Alumni will share their life-changing experiences, from saving lives at the southern border to guarding our nation’s most hallowed landmarks. Our students and faculty will make international waves and put their exceptional drive and expertise towards an environmental issue facing us all. Please note that you will no longer receive a copy of the magazine in the mail. The switch to producing an online magazine is a big change, but one that comes with a lot of benefits and features that can’t be replicated in print. By publishing digitally, Valpo Magazine is able to remain up-to-date, sharing your exciting news and updates with your…
Former Valpo Student-Athletes Combat COVID-19 as Frontline Workers
In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, former Valparaiso University student-athletes working in the medical field across the country have gone beyond the expected in their efforts to combat the virus and treat patients in need of their care. Numerous former Valpo student-athletes transitioned from their normal areas of medical expertise to assist on COVID-19 units and worked additional hours to help the fight against the virus. Tristan De La Rosa ’18 serves as an emergency-room nurse in Garden Grove, California at the biggest trauma hospital in Orange County, located next to Disneyland. The former Valpo football player has worked at least four shifts per week since the beginning of March, including 10 16-hour shifts. At one point, he worked 11 shifts consecutively. “At the height of the pandemic, our whole hospital was maxed out, so we had to hold patients in the ER,” De La Rosa…
Trading the Classroom for the Front Lines
In 2020, Jessica Glinski ’22 DNP answered the call to take a leave of absence from the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at Valparaiso University to serve on the front lines of the pandemic with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This sacrifice was a difficult decision, but it proved as educational — and perhaps even more impactful — as time in the classroom for Jessica. Jessica originally signed up as a volunteer with FEMA in 2012 after returning from serving as an E4 medic in the military during two wars. Her first and only deployment with the organization prior to the pandemic was during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the COVID-19 pandemic first raged across the United States in the spring of 2020, the Kouts, Indiana, native found herself wishing she could do more. Jessica is constantly learning and challenging herself to better care…
Occupational Ambition
Sara Walters ’21 MOT, LOTR, BCP, is the first student to enroll in Valparaiso University’s doctor of occupational therapy program. Thanks to career advancement and outstanding networking, Sara found Valpo’s program to fit her life as a working professional while moving her closer to her dreams. As an instructor of occupational therapy at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Sara is juggling her full-time job, growing family, and continuing education through Valpo’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program. Sara has been able to balance her workload and maximize focus and understanding with each topic throughout her studies thanks to the program’s design and emphasis on flexibility. “The live, online meeting format for classes has been extremely helpful for me as a working professional,” Sara says. “Depending on the students’ availability, a course time is selected — usually evening — and Professor Scott is available for appointments during…
Nursing Powerful Connections
Jordan Anderson ’17, RN, is confident her time at Valpo helped her discern the path to her future as a nurse practitioner. Now back in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota, Jordan is a floor nurse with hospice patients at St. Mary’s Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic system, while she completes graduate school to become a nurse practitioner. Her interest in pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner came during Jordan’s time at Valpo. “I had a dream that my great-grandparents were sitting at a table talking about me and what I was supposed to do,” Jordan says. “The next day I had a home care clinical and I went to a patient’s home with the nurse I was shadowing. Her blood pressure was really low, so we called an ambulance for her. While we waited for it to arrive, I was holding her hand and talking her through the…