When Anissa Christian walks across the stage to accept her bachelor’s degree in nursing on Monday, she will cross the threshold into a new career built on a desire to serve and faith in the power of education.
Christian, 55, worked as an elementary school teacher for 27 years, first in South Carolina and then in Memphis after moving here with her family in 1994. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. After leaving the class, Christian said she knew she wanted to continue serving others. “I learned to view nursing as another way to help those in need,” she said. “It took my passion for service to another level.”
Christian is one of 60 College of Nursing students who will receive their diplomas during the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s commencement ceremony on Monday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. A total of 116 students are graduating, including 28 from the College of Medicine, 17 from the College of Graduate Health Sciences and 11 from the College of Health Professions.
Initially, Christian will be recognized as the BSN Class Award winner. The award is given to a member of the graduating class chosen by classmates as an outstanding role model possessing qualities such as empathy, respect for others, motivation and enthusiasm.
As a lifelong educator, Christian appreciates the importance of good teaching and praised the teaching she received at the UT Health Science Center. “The knowledgeable instructors who are passionate about their work have been the driving force behind my success throughout the program,” she said.
She plans to continue her nursing education at UT Health Science Center in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program while working as a staff nurse in a local intensive care unit. Its long-term goal is to open and operate personal care homes for seniors.
“I am preparing to begin the application process the day after graduation to enter the Psychiatric Mental Health DNP for fall 2025,” Christian said.
Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, will confer degrees at commencement. The ceremony’s alumni speaker will be Mike Griffin, chairman of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Board of Governors. The ceremony will also include remarks from UT System President Randy Boyd and a keynote address from Alisa Haushalter, DNP, associate professor in the College of Nursing.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on the UT Health Science Center Graduation Website.