News and Events

February 16, 2024

As a double alumna of Seattle University and staff member of the College of Nursing, Rebecca Severson, ‘14, ‘20, has had a long relationship with the SU community, which she describes as both, “holistically formative and transformative. As a student, I felt the mission and values of SU from my faculty and classmates being carried out. As a staff member, I draw from that experience and aim for my students and colleagues to feel cared for and supported as whole, unique persons.”  

Severson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies in 2014 and Master’s degree in Transformational Leadership in 2020 from Seattle University. She joined the College of Nursing in 2015 as its Undergraduate Program Coordinator and worked closely with students and advisors, over time leading her to pursue a career as an academic advisor. She says, “the transition to nursing and to doctoral studies can be intense and overwhelming [for students]… I enjoy spending time with them, offering or connecting them with whatever support they need.”

Get to know more about Severson and what she enjoys about her career as an academic advisor at Seattle University.

Tell us a little about yourself, hobbies, passions, or other details you’d like to share?

I’m a first-gen, double alumna of Seattle University with a passion for people. I love fantasy novels, board and video games, camping (but not hiking!) and spending time with my nearest and dearest. I am passionate about neurodivergence–how it shows up in our lives and how to make things more accessible for various brain wiring.

What made you decide to pursue a career as an Academic Advisor?

I enjoy working with people and thrive in fast-paced environments. Before I came to SU, I was specifically looking for early career jobs in either health care or education. I knew I wanted to work in a field that cared for others and was likely going to be around in 20-30 years. My path to advising was built upon asking “what’s next?” at each stage of my career. When I joined the College of Nursing as a program coordinator and began working closely with advisors, it seemed a natural progression to transition to an advising role.

How long have you been in the field and what do you like best about it?

I began advising in my previous role [with the undergraduate program], so almost 9 years. One of the things I most appreciate about advising is that every day is different. Some days are packed with 1:1 student meetings, some are full of data, some are focused on advising programming, and others on everything all at once.

What’s your favorite part of working with SU nursing students in your role?

My favorite part is working with students and colleagues to resolve complex problems and/or situations. The transition to nursing and to doctoral studies can be intense and overwhelming, causing all manner of chaos for students. I enjoy spending time with them, offering or connecting them with whatever support they need. Towards the end of meetings, they often say, “I feel so much better now, I wish I’d done this sooner!”

October 17, 2023

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Brian O'Malley joined the College of Nursing’s Clinical Performance Lab team as a Simulation Specialist Technician in 2020. Since then, he’s become an integral part of the team providing a safe, equitable learning environment for SU students to learn through simulation.

Get to know more about O’Malley and what he enjoys most about his career in the simulation field.

Tell us a little about yourself, hobbies, passions, or other details you’d like to share?

"I am an identical twin who got bitten by the trail-running bug after moving to the Pacific Northwest from Madison, WI over three years ago. I've participated in a variety of races from trail marathons to ultra-marathons. If I'm not in the office, I'm usually prancing out and about in the Cascades. Fun fact: I've hiked Mt. Fuji... twice!"

What made you decide to pursue a career as a simulation specialist?

"I've always valued working in education. I was attracted to becoming a simulation specialist because it allows the opportunity for learners to express new ideas, concepts and experiment in a non-traditional classroom setting."

How long have you been in the field and what do you like best about it?

"I've worked in both the medical and nursing simulation fields for close to five years. I enjoy the intersection of education and "theater" aspects of the industry. I admire the shared educational passion our standardized patients (professional actors and actresses) bring to our simulations. I'm eager to utilize a variety of modalities (makeup, props, SPs, technology) to ensure our simulation environments provide the most productive spaces for learning and growth."

Tell us a little about your work at the CPL, what does your typical day look like?

"Planning for simulations, I review relevant materials, supplies and medications with faculty and set our simulation suites accordingly. During the simulation, I ensure all systems are functioning properly (simulators, audio/video streaming for observation) and then break down and setup for our next event. I've also been known to be the voice of a few of our simulators during simulation!

I’m very proud of my involvement earlier this year with the CPL team responsible for the renovation of our new Observation Room, allowing learners to have a fully dedicated, state-of-the-art space to view and debrief their simulation experiences."

What’s your favorite part of working with SU nursing students in your role?

"I highly value working with a wide variety of our SU faculty. It's incredible to witness the transfer of knowledge and experience between faculty and students during our simulations, particularly in the debriefing session. My favorite part is the mentorship our faculty provides to our SU nursing students. Each faculty provides their own clinical and content expertise with the shared ideal to provide a safe and equitable learning environment for our students to practice, make mistakes, learn, and become more effective nurses."

October 16, 2023

Mebel Christian-Ezeofor, ’26, is a doctoral student in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program at Seattle University. She was one of 11 Seattle University nursing students who received a Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO) scholarship in 2023 and currently serves as a class of '26 student track representative for the AG-ACNP program.

Christian-Ezeofor’s decision to pursue a career in nursing was influenced by her experience growing up in Cameroon, Africa, where she said, “socioeconomic disparities are not only apparent but consequential.” One of her central career goals as a future AG-ACNP, is to focus her efforts on making quality care accessible to everyone, saying “I believe it is my calling to bridge that gap wherever I can.”

When she has a break from her class schedule, Christian-Ezeofor said she enjoys traveling and event planning, but “most dear to my heart is spending my free days with my two boys (4 & 7 years old) and a supportive husband that embraces my calling.”

Learn about Christian-Ezeofor and her plans for the future. 

What drew you to pursue your DNP degree through the Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion program at SU?

"I have had a diverse health care career from being a patient care assistant, pharmacy technician, hemodialysis technician, shift manager, and case manager coupled with my educational background obtaining a master’s in health care leadership to becoming an executive director of a Senior Living/Memory Care community for a multinational establishment. I was sitting on what appeared to be a career turning point and launch, but as I engaged with my community, I had a strong drive to do more for them. This coupled with the socioeconomic disparities I witnessed as a young girl that led to losing someone dear to my life drove me to make the difficult decision to further my education and gain the skills and licenses that would allow me to do more for the community.

In my search for an institution that would aid my learning and growth goals, Seattle University stood out because of their dedication to cultivating a ‘whole person’ through enriching all aspects of their life. This I think would give any student that passes through Seattle University an edge in being a better provider of ‘whole’ patient care."

What are your goals after you graduate?

"My career passion revolves around building a community and making quality care accessible to everyone. I grew up in Cameroon where socioeconomic disparities are not only apparent but consequential. I believe it is my calling to bridge that gap wherever I can.

My goal after graduation is to identify a community needing quality and compassionate care, establish facilities, and drive organization cultures and training to meet their needs. I also plan to pursue external leadership positions driving policies that affect the health care industry and advocate for quality and compassionate care through those policies.

As my husband would say, “You may not have control of the end of the journey, but you have control of taking the first step of the journey.” I have taken the first step toward my goals, and I look forward to what the future holds."

Recent Diagnostic Ultrasound Graduate, Kacey Jaenicke, ’23, Published in the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound

October 16, 2023

Kacey Jaenicke is a recent graduate from the post-baccalaureate Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound program at Seattle University. She and her classmate Riley Davis, ’23, had their senior capstone papers published in the September issue of the Journal for Vascular Ultrasound. In her capstone paper, "Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Setting of Fever," Jaenicke discusses the correlation between the incidence of fever and diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While working on her manuscript, Jaenicke conducted her clinical rotation at Harborview Medical Center. 

"I am immensely proud of Kacey and Riley’s publications to the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound," said Mirette Aziz, Director, Diagnostic Ultrasound program. "The many hours spent in preparation, research, writing, revision, submitting the manuscript and navigating the peer review process, reflects their rigor and dedication to contributing to the literature of Ultrasound." 

Read about why Jaenicke chose to become a sonographer and her plans as a recent graduate from SU.

Tell us a little about yourself, your passions, experience, or other things you’d like to share.

"I was born and raised in Federal Way, WA. Prior to attending SU, I graduated from Washington State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Go Cougs!). After graduation, I worked as a certified nursing assistant at Seattle Children's Hospital for six years, where I got the opportunity to do some on-the-job shadowing in their ultrasound department. I became absolutely fascinated by ultrasound and knew that I wanted to pursue a career as a sonographer. I got accepted into the Diagnostic Ultrasound program at Seattle University and graduated this past August."

What drew you to pursue your degree at Seattle U?

"Seattle University had everything I was looking for in a post-baccalaureate program. I strongly resonate with their mission of educating the whole person. Each professor I had was dedicated to my learning and invested in my development from student to sonographer. An extra bonus was the location—attending school right in the heart of Seattle was a perfect fit for me."

What are your plans as a new graduate of the program?

"After an amazing yearlong internship at Harborview Medical Center and passing my certification exam, I am officially a Registered Vascular Technologist! I am currently working at Lake Washington Vascular in Bellevue and am learning so much. I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I know I was meant to do and am excited to see where my journey leads!"

Seattle University’s Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound Program was founded in 1978 and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The program has since evolved to offer post-baccalaureate degree and post-baccalaureate certificate pathways to students who already hold an undergraduate degree. The program offers 3 distinctive specialty ultrasound tracks: cardiac, general, and vascular. 

October 16, 2023

Jaime Navetta, DNP, RN, CNE, who began her one-year appointment as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the College of Nursing on August 1, 2023, is a graduate of both its Doctor of Nursing Practice, '21, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, '03, programs. She also has an established track record with the undergraduate nursing program having served as both a faculty academic advisor and assistant clinical professor.

“I am grateful that Dr. Navetta will bring her experience, insights, and talents to our College of Nursing leadership team.” — Dean Butch de Castro

Dr. Navetta is a Seattle native who grew up in the Fremont neighborhood. An animal lover, she and her husband have been fostering cats for MEOW Cat Rescue for over 10 years. She says her hobbies include “any kind” of art, gardening, travel, photography, cheering on the Seahawks, reading, and cooking. Among her newer interests are learning to become a beekeeper, reporting that this is her second year with a beehive of her own.

Get to know Dr. Jaime Navetta and her passion for nursing education.

What made you decide to become a nurse?

"Nursing is a profession where you can apply your skills and personal talents to so many varied roles. I love nursing because you can work in a hospital, in a clinic, in a school, in the community, in policy, in research, and in higher education—all in one career. I chose nursing because it provided me with the flexibility to try different roles and facilitate continued growth throughout my career. Being a nurse is a privilege and I recognize the responsibility that comes with that. We are often with people on their best days, on their worst days, and every day in between.

As someone who loves puzzles, I see nurses as expert puzzle solvers in the way they collect and interpret data, create and collaborate on interventions, and evaluate the outcomes with an eye to continuous quality improvement."

Why did you pursue a career as a nurse educator?

"I am an educator at heart and appreciate being in the classroom with students. I love opportunities to teach students about all the different ways they can engage with the nursing profession and help it to continue to evolve.

I really like being able to help others realize their passion – if I can make that a little easier, or have helped someone find their nursing specialty, or help translate some of the complexities of the nursing curriculum, then I feel like I have made a difference!"

As a graduate of both the BSN and DNP program, can you say a little about what drew to SU, first as a student, and then again to pursue your career?

"I really appreciate the component of the SU mission that focuses on educating the whole person. This concept blends so nicely with nursing and translates to caring for the whole patient, whether that is a whole community, whole school, whole person, whole clinic, or whole family. As a student, that concept just made sense to me. I chose to work here because of the focus on teaching and the relationships between faculty, staff and students. It is important to me that faculty know their students, engage with them and welcome their feedback."

What’s your favorite part of teaching and mentoring SU nursing students?

"One of my favorite things is when students have an “ah ha” moment—when a concept starts to make sense or once explained in a different way, the idea takes root. I also love using humor in learning. Whether it is finding the perfect meme, image, or simply sharing a great story to make a point."

Is there any advice you would like to share with your students as they prepare for their careers in nursing?

"Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Find those critical friends and make an agreement that you will tell each other the truth—then agree to take their advice to heart. If they say you are doing a great job, believe them! If they say you are overthinking, believe them! If they say that you need to study more, believe them! Be a critical friend to someone else and seek out ways to support one another in positive ways.

It doesn’t matter what paths others take in nursing—find a path that excites you and makes you happy!"

October 16, 2023

Drs. Diane Fuller Switzer, Kumhee Ro and Mo-Kyung Sin along with former faculty members, Drs. Sofia Aragon, '97, and Carrie Miller were inducted as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) Saturday, October 7, 2023. These colleagues and other inductees were recognized for their substantial, sustained, and outstanding impact on health and health care.

According to the American Academy of Nursing, approximately 2,900 Fellows are nursing leaders in education, management, practice and research. Fellows represent association executives; university presidents, chancellors and deans; elected officials; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; and researchers and entrepreneurs.

Invitation to Fellowship is more than recognition of one's accomplishments within the nursing profession. Academy Fellows also have a responsibility to contribute their time and energies to the Academy, and to engage with other health leaders outside the Academy in transforming America's health system.

To learn more about the becoming a FAAN and to see the full list of the 253 distinguished nurse leaders making up the 2023 class of new fellows, visit the American Academy of Nursing.