Spotlight Student: Nicole Roddy

Editor’s Note: Spotlight Students are nominated by staff and faculty at WSU Spokane and are recognized during commencement for their dedication, commitment, sacrifice and/or ability to overcome great odds to succeed as a student. They are selected by a committee ahead of commencement. WSU Spokane will feature a Spotlight Student each day through May 13.

What did you do after graduating from college? For Nicole Roddy, her post-graduation plans include becoming a commissioned Naval Officer in the United States Navy.

Roddy grew up in a military family, so she has some knowledge of what’s ahead. She’s been in the U.S. Navy Nurse Candidate Program for the last two years.

During her time at WSU, Roddy logged countless volunteer hours with World Relief, College Access Corp., the Make a Wish Foundation and Northwest Harvest Food Bank.

She’s been her class president each year and represented the College of Nursing at Nurse Legislative Day.

Roddy seems to have a clear plan for future.

“I plan to stay in the Navy for 20 or more years, and in that time hope to be assigned to one of the hospital ships to go on a humanitarian cruise,” she said. “I also want to pursue my DNP in midwifery or NP in women’s health early in my career. Potentially, as I advance in my career, I would like to get into a position related to national health such as the Presidential Advisor to Women’s Health or the Chief Nurse of the Navy so I can positively influence policy and politics. After retiring I hope to use my skills to go on humanitarian missions with a program like Doctors Without Borders while global traveling full time.”

After she completes Officer Development School, Roddy will be assigned to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.