Nursing Student to receive Mussenden Scholarship

Jessica Varghese, a PhD student at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, received one of the first Mussenden Scholarship.   Jessica, who is originally from Jamaica, New York, is the first in her family to attend college. When asked what it means to her to receive such an award Jessica states, "Navigating the world of higher education is not easy, especially as a first generation college student. Receiving this scholarship takes away some of the financial burdens associated with obtaining my degree."

Jessica received her undergraduate nursing degree from St. John Fisher College and began graduate work at UB in the Fall of 2011.  Her research area of interest is community health and health services.  She had the opportunity to attend the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Student Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. last spring where she was able to have an insider's look at the legislative process and nursing's role in health care policy.  She currently serves as the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Liaison, a branch of AACN and hopes to conduct research and work toward policy development.

"My future goals include actively participating in shaping health care policy & working toward empowering nurses in their workplace settings. I’m grateful for the support that UB has provided thus far and hope I will set a good example for other first generation college students."

Maureen Mussenden was an expert in the areas of health law and corporate law with specialized expertise in hospital/university affiliation agreements, serving as associate counsel in UB’s Academic Health Center. After her untimely death in 2010, her friends and family established this scholarship as a tribute to her life and accomplishments.