Why did you choose GVSU? 

My prior experiences at Grand Valley and my proximity to it led me to enroll at Grand Valley for a second time to study Computer Science. From 2016 to 2020, I attended Grand Valley’s nursing program and found the university to full of passionate and experienced faculty who were dedicated to preparing students for their future careers. I always felt supported in my learning, so when returning to school in the latter half of 2024 it was an easy decision to enroll at Grand Valley again.

What made you want to join Blue Nucleus? 

I had just finished CIS 163 and had limited knowledge of software development but was very eager to learn more about it and gain practical experience. I was also drawn to the wide variety of projects that Blue Nucleus was involved in. Seeing projects ranging from the automation of propellor sanding robots to health record training tools for nursing students had me thrilled to join.

What has been your favorite experience in the program so far?

My favorite experience at Blue Nucleus was the pilot launch of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulator for nursing students in early April. Our team began the project in early June 2025 and worked alongside the Kirkhof College of Nursing to develop an intuitive and high-fidelity EHR simulator to replace their existing outdated software. After nearly a year of hard work, our team released our new EHR simulator to a group of 31 nursing students to use during one of their nursing simulation events. The pilot was largely a success and I’m very proud of our team and everyone’s effort!

Favorite Hobbies and Interest: 

My two favorite hobbies are distance running and specialty coffee, but I also love rock climbing, cycling, bikepacking, bird watching, reading, and home improvement projects!

What's something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Prior to returning to Grand Valley to study Computer Science, I was a Registered Nurse for four years, during which time I took travel contracts in Washington and Arizona. It was an invaluable experience, but I knew I needed to transition into a career that would be more sustainable for me over the next forty or so years.

Fun Fact(s): 

• Preferred OS: I prefer Linux
• Early Bird vs Night Owl: Both!
• Describe Blue Nucleus in One Word: Inspiring

What is your goal after Graduating? 

After my experiences at Blue Nucleus, I’m very interested in custom software development and I hope to work for a local consultancy such as Vervint or Atomic Object after graduating.