EDWARDSVILLE - For mother of three, full-time nurse and student Destiony Phillips, time and money can sometimes be in short commodity. That is why the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior was thrilled when she was awarded a Donald M. Suggs Scholarship.
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Phillips, who is majoring in nursing, was one of two SIUE students to receive a scholarship from The St. Louis American newspaper’s 501 (c)3, the St. Louis American Foundation. Ashley Muthoni Wahome, a School of Engineering senior, was the other University recipient.
Phillips and Wahome, each received $1,000 for the fall 2024 semester.
“As a full-time nurse and mother of three children, ranging in ages 7 to 14, this scholarship helps redirect some of my finances toward caring for my family,” shared Phillips. “It is also extremely helpful leading into the holiday months.”
The field of nursing was a calling that Phillips felt early on.
“My younger brother was born with low functioning autism,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field to help those in need.”
Phillips expects to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SIUE in the spring of 2025. Afterwards, she plans to apply for the Doctor of Nursing Practice at SIUE, with the goal of working in the mental health field and teaching new nurses.
“I believe the mental health field is one that is lacking in resources,” said Phillips. “By advocating for these individuals, I hope to help them receive the support and education needed to succeed.”
“I want to be remembered as someone who was kind and caring,” she continued. “Some people we meet just makes us feel lighter by them being around. That is my goal.”
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating social and economic mobility for individuals while also powering the workforce of the future. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Home to a diverse student body, SIUE is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis.?
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