Senior nursing major Prisca Bahati will graduate in December, marking a major milestone as a first-generation college graduate and an ASC Service Award Scholar.
“My journey has been very challenging but quite exciting as well,” Bahati said. “I had the full support of my family and friends and enough determination to push myself to where I wanted to be. It feels almost surreal that I am about to graduate college.”
The ASC Service Award Scholarship, named after the sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ who founded Newman, is a service-based scholarship that requires students to complete 45 hours of community service each semester.
Bahati recently completed her capstone, a culmination project that juniors or seniors at Newman complete for their studies. Capstone projects can vary from student to student and take on different approaches, including live, research-based presentations, special performances and collaborative service projects.
Bahati chose to organize a one-day field event at Fairmount Park for children ages 7 to 15 for her capstone project. The themes of the event were career exploration, health and wellness, God’s time, fun and games and acts of kindness. About 25 children and six volunteers participated.
“My capstone project was designed around the idea of creating a day of learning, education, stewardship and fun for young children,” she said. “The project was very successful — the children loved it.”
Bahati said her inspiration came from her love for working with children, many of whom she also teaches in Sunday school.
At the end of the event, Bahati put together goodie bags to donate to the Wichita Children’s Home as a way of giving back to the community.
A standout nursing student
Rachel Cheek, assistant professor in the School of Healthcare Professions, said Bahati’s growth throughout the program stood out.
“Prisca is smart, adaptive and resilient,” Cheek said. “She took feedback and grew through it.”
Bahati’s next step is to take the exam to earn her nursing license, then start her job at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in the Cardiovascular Medical-Surgical unit in Wichita.
“After I obtain my license, I will begin my career dream. I have already accepted a job offer at St. Francis,” she said.
Bahati said she is proud of how far she’s come and grateful for her experiences at Newman.
“It feels like yesterday that I walked through the gates of Newman as a freshman, and now I am preparing for graduation,” she said. “I am truly proud and grateful.”
Prisca is smart, adaptive and resilient. She took feedback and grew through it.
Rachel Cheek, assistant professor in the School of Healthcare Professions
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