August Andrew Villa '21Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.
August Andrew Villa ’21
Career goal
“After graduating from Carthage, I intend to further expand my experience and education of the nursing practice by volunteering as an RN in the Peace Corps, working in community health care systems across the country, and diving into my studies to pursue a MSN and eventually a PhD in nursing where I can share my life experiences with future nursing students as a professor.”
How have Carthage faculty had an impact on your life or Carthage career?
“Professor Margaret Wentzell is an extraordinary individual. Her strong passion for the sciences and concern for social issues complement her willingness to help her students succeed in her class. Though her teaching habits may be strict, she will always keep her students’ best interests at heart.
“Professor Cheryl Peterson has opened my eyes to the integrity of the nursing profession. She taught me the importance of the quality of life, taking initiative when needed, and being the voice for those who have none. It is through her guidance in my freshmen year that has ignited my determination to pursue multiple leadership roles in the Carthage community.
“In the Nursing Program, each student is given an advisor. With a stroke of luck, I was assigned to Professor Patricia Flannery. She is a remarkable individual who has earned her spot as one of the biggest influences on my ambitions here at Carthage. She has taught me to stop, slow down, and take a moment to breath despite the workload and stressors of the nursing curriculum. Whenever I visit her office, she always greets me with a huge bowl of candy and a welcoming smile that reads: “Hey bud! How’s your week going? Want a piece of candy?” It is professors like her that reassure my decision to attend Carthage was indeed the correct one.
“Though he has yet to teach me in a classroom setting, Professor Franklin Hicks is the biggest influence on my character. He taught me to be an effective leader to others and to myself. It is through his guidance and leadership that has kept my feet on the ground. After graduating from Carthage, I will never forget the lessons these professors have shared with me. They not only have shared their experiences and life long teachings, but have affected the way I live my life moving forward.”
Favorite class
“My favorite class at Carthage would be Anatomy and Physiology. Though it may be challenging and extremely time consuming, I see the importance of the class and the firm foundation it creates for the nursing education.”
Toughest class
“My toughest class at Carthage so far would also have to be Anatomy and Physiology. What makes the class difficult is not the work load or extreme attention to detail, but the intimidating fact that this class is one of the foundational pillars of the nursing practice, and practically the medical field as a whole.”
Opportunities at Carthage
“Carthage has given me the opportunity to travel abroad. Come my junior year, I have plans to travel with Prof. Wentzell and other nursing students on a J-Term study tour to India where we will be focusing on global healthcare.”
Campus involvement
“I am involved in many different organizations on campus. I am the representative for the third nursing cohort in the Nursing Student Council. I am the current president of Residence Life Council, one of the most influential organizations for residential students on campus. I am an active member of National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) the top 1 % of leaders on campus, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Fraternity, and I recently help charter a chapter for the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity at Carthage College. This year, I was also an orientation leader and a peer coach advisor to freshmen students.”
Favorite moments and memories at Carthage
“Some of my favorite Carthage memories would have to be my first Christmas at Carthage. My friends and I had a Secret Santa in my dorm where we exchanged gifts, drank hot chocolate, and cried and yelled at Rose to make more room for Jack on the floating door in Titanic.”
Biggest surprise so far
“The biggest surprise so far would be the relationship that the students have with the faculty and each other. The nursing community at Carthage is my second home. The professors are extremely dedicated to their craft and are invested in the educational success of their students. The students act as one big family. Whenever someone falls behind in class or is feeling under the weather, nursing students are always willing to help each other out in whatever way they can.”
What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?
“My 8 year-old self would think I am insane for taking up nursing. When I was 8, I thought that nurses were always second to the doctor, the ones giving the shots, not calling them. As of now, I have come a long way from my 8 year-old self. I have realized that the nursing profession is of great honor and integrity. Nurses are leaders. They do call the shots when it comes to the care of their patients and the families. I am proud to be a part of a calling that has such a direct impact on people’s lives.”
Why should other students consider your major? What advice do you have for them?
“Nursing may be one of the hardest majors one could take. It requires much dedication, determination, and patience. But throughout all the hair-pulling stress and late-night Starbucks runs, nursing is one of the most rewarding majors out there. It is the core of the medical field. Nurses are the touch that never hurts, and the smile that never frowns. Ultimately nursing is a calling to serve others from the heart and lead with a smile. One thing I like to remind myself whenever I lose track from my goals is to remember that nurses are the last to see you before you sleep, and the first to see you when you wake.
“Nursing is a calling that everyone hears but not everyone listens. It takes someone who is kind, passionate, dedicated while also being firm, tough, and spirited. Nursing is one of the hardest majors at Carthage. There may be many sleepless nights and countless hours of notes, but with the guidance of your professors and the support of your classmates, you will find that nursing is the most rewarding and generous profession. There is a reason why the nursing practice is known to be the most trusted profession; it is because of strong individuals like yourself, someone who is clearly interested in the healthcare practice, who smiles with kindness and compassion.”
