A Saint Paul resident has been selected a spring semester Outstanding Student at Metropolitan State University.
Peyton Pollard graduates from the Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education Bachelor of Science in Nursing (MANE BSN) program and is selected as the Outstanding Student to represent the university’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Metropolitan State’s 106th Commencement will take place as a virtual graduation exercise on Aug. 15. With spring and summer 2020 semesters together, Metropolitan State is conferring 791 bachelors, 80 masters, and 17 doctoral degrees. Since 1971, Metropolitan State University has conferred 46,003 bachelor’s degrees, 4,158 master’s degrees and 105 doctoral degrees.
The MANE BSN program is endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation. Graduates waive the post-graduate practice and continuing education hours necessary to be eligible to take the holistic nursing certification exam. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in nursing program are eligible for registration as a Public Health Nurse in the state of Minnesota after becoming licensed as a registered nurse in the state.
MANE is an alliance of Minnesota nursing programs, using a common baccalaureate curriculum. The alliance is compiled of seven community colleges and Metropolitan State University; it is dedicated to increasing the educational capacity for attainment of a baccalaureate degree in nursing. This program is intended for individuals wishing to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing who are not currently registered nurses.
Pollard desired to continue his nursing education and he chose Metropolitan State University for its diverse and inclusive background. He appreciates the accepting and nonjudgmental culture of the college and its faculty. “I chose Metropolitan State because of its history of inclusion towards all cultures and specifically its alliance with the LGBTQ population,” he says.
“My goal when I started was to catch up to where I’d left off in nursing school, and finish my education, and it has become apparent that I can further my education here as well which interests me.”
At first, Pollard feared it would be difficult to form friendships at Metropolitan State, however he built friendships with several students and colleagues, and became an active member of the Holistic Nursing Association, the peer support network for nursing students.
Pollard is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and studied pre-med for nearly three years before turning his interest towards nursing. At the completion of his degree, he was able to consider multiple employment offers.
Pollard currently lives in Saint Paul and plans on adopting a dog. Pollard graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge in 2012. In his leisure time, he plays piano. Pollard also holds a pilot’s license and plans to fly more, after he begins his new job. He looks forward to attending concerts when the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved.
Each fall and spring semester, colleges at Metropolitan State nominate students for the Outstanding Student and Outstanding Graduate Student awards. Nominees are evaluated on the basis of their academic performance in their degree program, as well as achievements in their community and professional contributions. All finalists are recognized in the commencement program, outstanding students receive special recognition during commencement, and are eligible to speak at commencement.
Metropolitan State University, a member of Minnesota State, is the Twin Cities’ public, urban, comprehensive state university providing lifelong learning and competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels.