Gabriella Galvan
Gabriella Galvan never pictured herself pursuing a career in health care — until a teacher shared vivid stories about her real-world experiences in nursing.
Now, Galvan is hooked.
As an EC Scholar at East Carolina University, she will study nursing and make plans for additional nursing degrees and a career caring for others, eventually becoming a nurse practitioner in pediatrics.
“My high school partnered with Wake Tech and offered courses in a variety of professional fields,” said Galvan. “I met the nursing teacher, and she told me the wonders she saw, the heartache, the parts that weren’t pleasant and the daily routines. I never knew so much went into nursing and how much nursing plays a major role in making the patient feel safe. From there on, I knew there was nothing more I wanted as my career.”
EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
Galvan, 18, is the daughter of Cesareo Galvan of Raleigh and Maria Sanchez of Cary.
“Being a part of EC Scholars is an incredible opportunity that is beyond what I can explain,” she said. “I know this will be critical to my success at ECU, and I plan to make the most of it.”
As part of the EC Scholar award, Galvan hopes to travel to Guatemala to teach young people about nutrition and help with the clean water project.
She will get a head start on traveling this summer when she visits family in Mexico.
“I haven’t gotten to see them in years, and I’m very excited,” she said. “Until then, I plan on working at my job, where I register people for the COVID-19 vaccine and help people test for COVID. I plan on spending as much time with my friends and family before I leave for ECU.”
Once she arrives, Galvan hopes to become active with the EC Scholars program’s partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, where she has volunteered in the past.
“It was a great experience helping kids grow and teaching them that their options are limitless,” she said.
Through that volunteerism and her experiences as a nursing student, Galvan wants to leave a meaningful impression on others.
“When someone gets hurt or is sick and comes into the doctor or hospital, they are most likely going to be scared and confused,” she said. “If I am able to make them feel safe and lift up some of their mood, then maybe they will remember that and do the same to another one day.”
“You’ve just got to treat people with kindness and hope that follows to as many people as possible.”
High school: Vernon Malone College and Career Academy
Intended major: Nursing
Hometown: Raleigh