JANUARY 2022
As we transition into the new year, we're continuing to share the highlights of NSLS members' achievements and accomplishments. We hope you find their stories as inspirational as we do.
Our mission at the NSLS is Building Leaders Who Make a Better World. Nationwide, our members participate in social events, volunteer for charities, and take part in a wide range of community service initiatives. Upon graduation, members apply the interpersonal skills they've acquired to start businesses, pursue promotions, and continue applying what they’ve learned as the NSLS.
Nursing Student Earns Leadership Award
Domonique Dones of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was given the School of Nursing's Student Leadership Award. The award recognizes students who have demonstrated leadership qualities by embodying the spirit of the nursing profession and helping others realize their goals.
Domonique illustrated these characteristics as President of the Student Nurse Achievement Program, which provides mentoring and tutoring services for the nursing school. She also acts as liaison for the Alumni Advisory Board, the Student/Dean's Advisory Board, and the Diversity Committee. She is also involved in many student organizations and has held leadership roles outside of the School of Nursing, including the Black Student Union.
Upon graduation, Domonique will begin her nursing career in the intensive care unit at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis while also starting grad school to pursue a doctorate in nursing.
Read the full story at The Telegraph >>
NSLS Member Publishes Motivational Self-Help Book
Babs Faseesin, DeVry University Northeast, published a personal wellness book, Cracking the Lifecode: Keys to Master Your Mindset, Habits, and Behaviors for Personal Success.
The book provides readers with a blueprint to discover one's purpose and to gain control of the most important aspects of one's life. It teaches readers how to "recode" programming and enhance possibilities for success and happiness.
Babs has built an impressive career, working as Chief Strategy Officer at RIOTT Consulting. The Nigerian native has worked with many brands including Samsung, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Proctor and Gamble, and Nestlé. He’s also helped thousands of entrepreneurs start their businesses, and grow as a strategy consultant and life coach. He’s also given seminars and training sessions in various settings.
The certified negotiation specialist is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Advertising Practitioners Council.
Read more about Babs Faseesin’s book at Book Launchers >>
Student Breaks Barriers as a Black Woman in Data Science
Taylor Ferguson of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the first black woman to be admitted and the first to complete the Belk Scholars program, earning her bachelor's degree in business analytics and a masters degree in data science and business analytics.
The Belk Scholars Program in the Belk College of Business allows high-achieving students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years. The program seeks high school graduates who demonstrate a strong academic background and interest in pursuing grad school. The scholarship covers in-state tuition renewable for four years as long as the student continues to meet program requirements, which Taylor certainly did.
Besides breaking barriers in data science, she also interned as a graphic design assistant for the Belk College of Business and as a junior analyst for Dominion Energy. She also worked as a teaching assistant at the School of Data Science, and volunteered at the botanical gardens on campus.
Read the full story from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte >>
Alum Receives Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award
Peterson Francois, Walden University chapter, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022 from the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). Recipients are awarded this recognition for longevity in their fields, their contributions made to their communities, and the impact they have on their industry.
In 2020, the Haiti native was recognized by the same organization as Top Executive in Business Management. He has dedicated more than 20 years into his profession, as both a businessman and professor, and has received numerous awards and accolades. He was also recently named America's Most Influential Businessman by the International Association of Who's Who.
He is the author of Inspirations: My Vivid Imagination Has Been Transformed into Reality, featured by the American Library Association, the Miami Book Festival, Book Expo America, and other organizations.
Read the full story at PR Underground >>
NSLS Member Recognized for AmeriCorps Service
Nuria A. Diallo Padro, President of the Our Lady of the Lake University chapter, has been recognized by the Governor of Texas, the Texas State Senate, and the San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees for her exceptional AmeriCorps service at a Latino-majority middle school in San Antonio.
The Penn State alum is a board member of the Penn State Social Equity Alumni Network and has always strived to give back and help others. She received the National Service "Make a Difference" Award for her innovative programming and outreach to help middle schoolers achieve academic success, grow socially, and map out their future aspirations.
She also provided outreach to families disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri by raising funds to deliver grocery gift cards. The graduate student in social work partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank and the local school district to host a Mobile Food Pantry. As an AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus, she used the skills she learned to promote a food distribution event that brought local communities together to support 450 families.
Read the full story from Penn State >>
Other NSLS Members Receiving Recognition IN January:
Caitlin Cogan and Josselyn Donahue, Westfield State University, are the recipients of a President's Award for excellence, leadership, and service to the community. Full Story >>
Joshua Jauch, University of Phoenix, has been included in Marquis Who's Who for his leadership in bringing cultures from around the world together as President and Founder of Every View Point. Full Story >>
Matthew Zewe, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, represented the class of 2021 during the university's graduate commencement ceremony, where he was also honored with the Outstanding Graduate Student award in his program. Full Story >>
Bailey Austin, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has been recognized as an Outstanding Graduate for the College of Education through her strong academics, leadership as captain of the water ski team, and volunteer work. Full Story >>
Kinsey Nguyen, Roanoke College, received the Dr. Christopher Joyner Memorial Award for Outstanding Student at the Lutheran College Washington Semester program for her work ethic and activism. Full Story >>
Dr. Bernice Roberts Kennedy, Walden University, has been included in Marquis Who's Who for 45 years of exceptional service in healthcare research, education, and psychiatric nursing. Full Story >>
