Page 7 - June 2026 Insider

INSIDER • June 2026

2026 ARCS Scholar Graduations Page 7
at USD and Scripps Research
(May 14-15, 2026)
By Leslie Bruce
There’s nothing quite like watching an ARCS Scholar graduate. You feel like a proud
auntie, elbowing your seatmate and whispering, “That’s my girl!” or “That’s my boy!” In
those moments, your commitment to these students – and to others like them through
ARCS – is renewed. The value of the work we do through ARCS is reaffirmed. You beam
with pride.
I had that experience several times during the week before SOY, and I’m still glowing.
Chapter Recording Secretary Grace Miller and I attended the hooding ceremony for
the Nursing PhD graduates at the University of San Diego. (Grace will shadow longtime
ARCS Liaison to USD Caroline Etland this coming year, with hopes of giving Caroline a
well-deserved break in 2027–28.)
The ceremony featured Hahn School of Nursing Dean Jane Georges, whose nearly
tearful remarks movingly captured the magnitude of the impact these graduates can
make. While nurses play a vital one-on-one role with patients, nurse scientists have the
potential to improve – or even save – thousands of lives at a time by transforming the
delivery of healthcare.
One by one, a dozen nursing graduates crossed the stage, bowing their heads as faculty
mentors draped silken doctoral hoods over their shoulders before posing for photos to
the cheers of family and friends. We applauded enthusiastically for our graduating ARCS
Scholars: Andrea Correia, Oliver Erece, Sandy Jellen, and Kristina Lopez.

At the luncheon afterward, the
Scholars thanked us and our
Chapter for the support they had
received throughout their PhD
journeys. I asked our USD hosts
whether more ARCS members
might attend next year’s
ceremony, thinking it would make
an uplifting field trip. Their
answer was an enthusiastic yes—
so Members, look forward to an
immensely rewarding experience
next year!

(l to r): Dr. Cynthia Connolly, Grace Miller, Leslie Bruce,
Andrea Correia, ARCS Alum Oliver Erece, Sandy Jellen,
Kristina Lopez and Dean Jane Georges
Continued on Page 8