Catherine Ercilla graduated from NOVA on Sunday, May 12. Not only was Catherine a NOVA SEAL Award winner this spring, but she’s also been awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Recipients of this prestigious scholarship are awarded up to $55,000 for two or three years to complete their bachelor’s degree.
For Catherine, graduating from NOVA is just the beginning. Having already completed an internship with the National Institutes of Health, she will next earn her bachelor’s in biology with a minor in French. Catherine’s passion for making a difference in the world is evident in her goal of becoming a doctor and pursuing oncology research. Her ultimate dream is to work for an organization like Doctors Without Borders, using her skills to help disadvantaged communities worldwide.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
My mom and family are from Lima, Perú. Before attending NOVA, I graduated from John R. Lewis High School in Springfield, Va.
Ever since High School, I knew I wanted to pursue a medical career because of my love for biology, volunteering and courses like medical assistant training and Introduction to Nursing. I have immense appreciation and respect for doctors, having grown up with my chronically ill mother. I aspire to help others as doctors once helped my mom, regardless of our financial barriers.
I had wanted to attend a four-year university immediately after high school, and I was accepted at five. However, because of financial constraints, I decided that NOVA was my best option. I am incredibly grateful to have attended NOVA because I received tremendous support from advising, tutoring, financial aid and all the faculty!
Tell us how you feel about being a finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship.
I still can’t believe I’m a Cooke Scholar. It’s so surreal to me. Every time I talk about the scholarship, my eyes fill with tears. I’m so grateful to God for always helping me with all my classes and life’s journey. I’m also incredibly grateful to my mom for always supporting me, believing in me and telling me that everything will be okay.
Being a first-generation student can be difficult and even frightening at times, but the support from God, my mom, my family and the amazing faculty at NOVA has made me confident. I now know that sí, se puede — yes, you can!
Finally, thank you so much, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, for seeing and believing in me. I promise to make you proud!
What did you study at NOVA?
I received an A.S. in Science.
Tell us about your experience at NOVA (i.e., professors you liked and friends you met).
Some professors and faculty who have impacted me at NOVA include Dr. Corinna Rupert, Dr. Dana Horoszewski and Dr. Jeanette Nicewinter, among many others. I wish I could list everyone because all the staff at NOVA are so kind and helpful. My success also stems from their immense support. I truly appreciate everybody who works for NOVA because they empower us students and make success stories like mine come true!
What would you tell a student coming to NOVA?
If you’re interested in rigorous classes, like I was, apply for NOVA’s Honors program! It offers detailed and structured project-based learning that provides many opportunities to collaborate with others.
At NOVA, you have affordable tuition, amazing and endless opportunities like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship, on-campus jobs and so much more. What’s better than a school that truly cares about you and wants you to succeed — and that’s also affordable? NOVA really is boldly NOVA, and I’m so proud to be a Nighthawk!
Where do you see yourself after NOVA, or what career pursuits are you exploring?
I see myself at the University of Richmond, continuing my undergraduate career and pursuing Oncology research as I did at the National Institutes of Health. I hope to one day apply to medical school; I’m a little nervous about that, but with the connections I made at NOVA, I know I’ve got this.
Catherine has a special thanks for her mother.
I’m so thankful to my mom, as I come from a low-income, single-parent household. My mom has sacrificed so much for me to be where I am right now. Through everything, she has been my rock, and she means everything to me. Thank you so much, Mamita. I love you so, so much! Without your unconditional love and unwavering support, I don’t know what I would do. Our road hasn’t been easy; we have both suffered a lot to get to where we are, but with the help of God, lo hicimos (we did it)! This is for us, Mamita!
