January 22, 2025

More than 250 graduates and their families and friends celebrated success in December during the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s graduation ceremony, where 194 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 59 master’s degrees, three Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees, four Doctor of Philosophy degrees, and four certificates were conferred. Just shy of 200 entry-into-nursing students graduated, ready to enter the workforce. The theme of bravery and perseverance — especially when life gets hard — underscored the ceremony, including during the keynote by Capt. Aisha K. Brooks, DNP, MPH, RN, FADLN, FAAN, a senior health policy administrator in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps who has spent nearly three decades as a nurse. She explained that it wasn’t easy getting there. 

Read more about Brooks’ journey as a young teen mom of two at UMB News.