Leslie Le was completing her training to become a certified nursing assistant when she learned about College of Saint Mary’s Josie Harper Scholarship from her professor.
Through the Josie Harper Scholarship, CSM offers a unique opportunity to students like Leslie. This scholarship, generously provided by The Harper Family Foundation, paves a debt-free pathway to a nursing degree, granting $10,000 annually. It's an opportunity that can change lives and open doors to a fulfilling career in nursing.
The scholarship's financial assistance ensured Leslie could attend college and become a nurse close to home. She and her husband, a military contractor at Offutt Air Force Base, have four sons, ages 3 to 11.
“Without the financial aid, I couldn’t have continued my education. It just means everything,” Leslie said. “I’m grateful, and it’s just an honor to continue the legacy and give back to other people in the future.”
The scholarship is named in honor of Joan “Josie” Harper, a nurse who died from cancer. At a luncheon last fall, Leslie heard Josie’s daughter, Betsy Murphy, speak about her mother and the importance of the scholarship.
“She was very emotional. It just brought me to tears because it is amazing that she continues her mother’s legacy,” Leslie said. “Being a nurse is the right thing for me. I love helping people.”
Leslie enrolled at CSM in the fall of 2023. At 32, she was a bit nervous.
“I didn’t think I was going to fit in,” she said. I’m obviously older than most of my classmates, but they were very welcoming. The faculty and staff were also very welcoming, friendly and very supportive. They want you to succeed, so they will do everything they can to help you.”
Leslie didn’t let her age steer her from getting involved on campus. Not only did she want to get an education, but she wanted to make an impact. In her first year, Leslie joined Student Senate, Student Nurses Association, Latinas Empowering Others, and Do Unto Others.
“I want to be a part of the decision-making process in making student life on campus better, including for those nontraditional students like me,” she said. “I have been told many times that as a mother, wife and working student, I can’t possibly have time to participate in anything else at school. I thought it was important to show that, yes, you can impact your school's community even as a student who has a whole life outside of school.”
In February, Leslie was awarded the first-year Heart of the Walking Woman in the Making.
