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Being a nursing student at TC3 is tough. The coursework can be intense and the faculty demanding, but the supportive culture of the program helps students thrive and become exceptional nurses. For many nursing students, including Mariyah King, the dedicated faculty and the support of others are the keys to �첥��Ƶ.

King was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, but moved to �첥��Ƶ County as a teenager. When it came time to look for college, she liked what she saw in her local school. “TC3 was an affordable option, with a beautiful campus, and had a more personable feel to it than other colleges,” she said. She also liked that a degree from TC3 would help her in two ways – landing a good job when she graduated while also preparing her to continue on for more schooling. “Doing a two-year program and then bridging to get my bachelor’s is something I found more suitable to my goals.”

In addition to the nursing faculty, plenty of others provided support along the way. “Everyone in the Health Center and Counseling were incredible,” she said. “Angie (McComb) was always someone who helped me keep my head straight but also allowed me to vent my frustrations. Matt (Kiechle) was always checking in to make sure things were going okay, and Judy (Perry) is someone who I felt was one of my biggest supporters and rooting for my �첥��Ƶ. (Professor) Margaret DeGaetano was also very helpful to me. She was one of the first math professors I had who explained things in a way that helped me succeed.”

And the support wasn’t limited to humans. “Some of my best memories at TC3 include hanging out with Sully in the Best Life Lounge,” said King, referring to the Golden Retriever who visits campus multiple times a week. “He helps to bring some light in during stressful times.”

Those memories, along with the excellent training she received in the classroom and doing fieldwork, will undoubtedly help King as she starts her career back in Erie working as an emergency room RN at a Level II trauma center. She plans to begin work on her bachelor’s degree in the next year, following her dream with the support of TC3 behind her.