For nursing major Allison Riddle ’27, Walsh University is where purpose, community, and faith came together to ignite her growth as a student and a leader. From the moment she arrived, she found a place where she could flourish academically, spiritually, and personally, and where she could help others do the same.
Allison chose Walsh for its small, faith-centered environment and strong nursing program. What she discovered once she arrived was a community that welcomed her fully and helped her grow in ways she hadn’t expected. “Coming to Walsh, I was nervous about making new friends and leaving the community I already had behind,” she said. “The whole campus was so welcoming.”
Her faith has strengthened deeply during her time at Walsh. “I went to Catholic school all my life, but my faith really bloomed upon coming to Walsh,” she said. “Walking along in faith with other young people inspired me to develop my relationship with Jesus even further.” This spiritual growth has been a foundation for everything else she does on campus.
Allison is actively involved on campus, serving as an RA, honors student, tutor, nursing club senator, dance team member, and participant in Campus Ministry and its discipleship program. Becoming an RA has been her most meaningful experience. She loves building relationships with students and helping them feel at home, just as others did for her. “Being a light to others has truly become one of the greatest joys in my life,” she said. The role also helped her grow out of her early shyness. “When I first arrived, I was quiet and timid to reach out to people. Living in the residence halls pushed me to become comfortable in uncomfortable moments. If you see me now, I never stop talking and always try to have a smile on my face.”
Nursing has always been her calling, and the Byers School of Nursing program has affirmed that decision. “I feel an innate drive to help and give back to people,” Allison said. She credits Professor Stephanie Fox and senior nursing mentors Shareen Awadallah and Sophia Rosa for shaping her vision of the nurse she wants to become. “They exemplify everything it means to be a servant leader. Their light guided my way to helping others and pushed me to become the best student I can be.”
Looking toward the future, Allison plans to work as a nurse after graduation while discerning her specialty, particularly in labor and delivery or postpartum care. She also hopes to return to graduate school for a master’s degree in nursing education so she can guide and mentor future nurses, just as her professors have guided her.
Her motivation remains steady. “What drives me is my love and passion for helping others. Everything I do, I try to think about how it affects my community.” To future Cavaliers, she offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to reach out and meet new people. Walsh has blessed me with the closest people in my life, and I’m so fortunate for the community that has shaped me into the person I am today.”
When asked to describe Walsh in a single sentence, Allison said, “Walsh is the perfect blend of everything important in life, where academic rigor and spiritual blossoming can be seen every day.”
