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When she initially applied to ���ϲ�����, Allie Schult ’26 was planning to join ���ϲ�����’s accelerated physician assistant program.

“I got waitlisted for it,” Schult explained. “And when I was on the waitlist, my mom was like, ‘Wait, what about the nursing program?’ I was like, ‘No, you have to apply. I can’t just ask,’ but she told me to just do it.”

Schult always knew she wanted to work in the healthcare sphere, so she emailed the Department of Nursing explaining that she had interviewed for the physician assistant studies program, but was now interested in becoming a nursing major. After verification of her test scores, she was switched into the program, and the rest was history.

“And so, then I had to tell my mom, ‘Oh, you were right. I did just have to ask!’ But I’m really glad I did, and I’ve loved every second of it.”

On campus, Schult has held various positions related to her journey in the health sciences, starting as an anatomy lab teaching assistant and later becoming a human physiology tutor. Additionally, Schult works once a week with fellow nursing student Lathan Rubant ’26 to answer any questions for younger nursing majors through PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) sessions.

“We say, ‘Bring any muddy points that you’re confused about,’ and they come in. We help them talk through things and clear up points that might not have been completely clear in class,” said Schult. “I feel like that’s probably the biggest thing I do in relation to nursing.”

Schult also shadowed Lori Hubbard, assistant professor of nursing, who works as a lactation consultant on the labor and delivery floor of Cone Health Alamance Regional Hospital. This inspired her to explore the pediatric route of nursing.

“I used to work in a daycare, I like working with kids,” Schult explained. “But then this past summer, I went out on a limb and applied to an externship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, so I got to work in an adult hematology oncology unit, which is adults with blood disorders and cancer.”

This introduced her to a different side of medicine, which she combined to find her post-graduate position at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, working in pediatric hematology oncology.

“I never thought about doing oncology at all, but then after my summer, I realized these are the best people, and there are good victories,” Schult explained.

In commending her accomplishments in the nursing program, Hubbard noted the social media series Schult conducts to motivate fellow nursing students.

“Allie embodies the heart and future of nursing. She will bring immense knowledge as well as seasoned talents in peer mentorship and collaboration to the profession,” said Hubbard. “Her social media series that she films to encourage and inform other nursing students about study habits and test-taking skills for successfully navigating nursing school is the perfect representation of her character and compassion.”

As she prepares to graduate from ���ϲ����� on May 22, Schult credits the closeness of her nursing cohort, class sizes and professors in shaping her experience.

“There are such small class sizes, and with 39 of us in the nursing cohort, we’ve been together since freshman year. We did our ���ϲ����� 1010 together, so we’ve been together since the beginning. I think it’s just nice that you get to spend so much time together, and they really get to know you, and the professors do too,” Schult explained.

Assistant Professor of Nursing Jeanmarie Koonts served as Schult’s advisor in the nursing program.

“She has really seen me through it all, all of my dilemmas with things,” Schult explained. “I went to her when I was debating what kind of nurse I wanted to be and what I wanted to do for my senior practicum, and she just sat down with me and let me talk through all of my thoughts.”

“Allie exemplifies what it means to be both an outstanding scholar and an impactful, servant leader. Her academic excellence is matched by her dedication as a peer tutor and PALS leader, consistently uplifting others with patience, insight, and a collaborative spirit,” said Koonts. “This dedication is evident not only in her work but also in the genuine care and concern she brings to her patients, friends, and colleagues.”

In discussing the program, Schult attributed the size of ���ϲ����� to creating a more individualized experience.

“I think all the professors have been instrumental in their own ways. I think that’s the great thing about being here, is that they all know you,” said Schult. “You’re not just a number, you’re a person.”

Ahead of ���ϲ�����’s 136th Commencement on May 22, 2026, Today at ���ϲ����� is highlighting several graduating seniors who have made the most of their ���ϲ����� experience.