Elizabeth Ulicny chose The Catholic University of America for its respected nursing program, strong community, and the diverse opportunities to study and serve around the world.
"It checked all my boxes," said Ulicny. "I loved the opportunity to study abroad... not many nursing programs have that," referring to her nursing-specific summer program at the University's Rome campus.
"I've learned a lot from my nursing professors, from their mentorship, leadership, and example," she said. She added that many Conway School of Nursing faculty have "very recent clinical experience or are still getting clinical experience."
During her four years of study at the University, Ulicny pursued immersive international experiences in Honduras and Costa Rica to enhance her ability to provide nursing care to diverse populations. She was encouraged by faculty to complete a Spanish for Healthcare certificate, returning to Costa Rica with the program's director as part of a student mission trip she helped organize.
"Service... has always been a passion of mine," said Ulicny. "The opportunities to go abroad and immerse myself in other cultures has helped foster that."
Ulicny said a big part of the campus culture is this spirit for service. She described the University as a "vibrant Catholic community, a place where I'd be able to grown in academics while also being formed as a person and also be able to practice my faith." She received the President's Award, the highest honor for a graduating senior, for her contributions to the community.
She led a weekly effort to serve the hungry at a local parish with Cardinal Service Corps and was a service leader at Northwest Pregnancy Center, volunteering to support pregnant mothers in need. Her favorite community-wide event is the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. where classes are canceled and she can join with people all around the nation to support this great mission of protecting the unborn.
"All these people travel for so long to come to D.C. for the March, and we [just] take the metro stop down three or four stops, and we're there," said Ulicny.
Reflecting on her experience over her four years at the University, she said what she will treasure most is the warm and welcoming community and the life-long friendships she has created here.
"You can't go anywhere without running into someone you know. And you also can't go to an event without meeting someone new," said Ulicny.
