Maria Stories
Maria Stories

Jemimah (Jem) Bulos received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Occupational Sciences from Maria College in 2019. She credits our faculty for providing a supportive, foundational experience that led her to her calling. Now Jem holds an MS in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Moises Samaniego started in Maria College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program and continued on to earn a bachelor’s in Health & Occupational Science. Moises shared that Maria is a great place for non-traditional students who were looking to return to College because they get to know you as an individual and adapt to your needs.

Kokese came to Maria College as an adult returning student interested in finishing a bachelor’s in Psychology. One of the things that she came to value about Maria College was the diversity of the students in her classes and how rich that made the learning experience.

Elisabeth Morehouse is in Maria College’s Nursing, AAS (RN) program and chose the College for the small supportive community and personal experience. She shared, “Nursing school can be very daunting but at Maria College, it feels very achievable.”

Amelia Foss-Machlowski is currently employed at St. Peter’s Hospital in their general surgery department where she helps with clinical and clerical work office work. Thanks to a partnership between Maria College and St. Peter’s Health Partners, Amelia is currently enrolled in the Practical Nurse Certificate (LPN) weekend program.  St. Peter’s Health Care Partners pays for her tuition in exchange for her commitment to work for them upon graduation.

Navigating the college admissions process can be challenging, especially when you are simultaneously working to maintain legal status as an international student. For RN-BS Degree in Nursing Completion Program student Marah Vincent of St. Lucia, she found the support from Maria College made all the difference.

Some people run from their problems, but for people like Dillon DeSalvo, a Maria College student in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, running is what actually helped solved his.

Maria College OTA student Mary Ruby discusses taking weekend courses while being treated for brain cancer and raising two children on her own. 

Michael O’Brien graduated from the Nursing ADN Program at Maria College in May of 2023. In his Maria Story, Michael discusses how his mother’s influence and an injury he incurred during his time in the Navy would ultimately lead him here.

Maria College OTA student, Lorraine Melville talks about the weekend program and how it helped her to keep balance in her life.

Nursing faculty member, Gabrielle Ryan, tells us about her journey from being a student at Maria to her experience working at the College.

Jodie O’Connell-Ponkos was accepted into Maria College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in 2019 and plans to graduate in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Occupational Sciences. Jodie’s story is one marked with incredible determination and purpose.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Lahtika Minns graduated from Maria College’s Nursing AAS (RN) Program. Like many Maria students, nursing wasn’t her first career plan, but after a few redirects, she found she couldn’t resist the field she was destined for.

Arabia Hunter discusses her reasons for choosing Maria College and the Renaissance Scholarship Program. 

OTA student, Jennie Upadhyaya, talks about the difficulties of coming back to college, and how Maria helped her through it.

Chavonte Edwards shares how she participated in Student Advocacy Day 2022.