SNHU Spotlight: Jamila Aithammousaid, BS in Nursing Grad

Jamila Aithammousaid ‘24 has been a nurse for over 15 years. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), she said she feels proud of her accomplishment and is well-equipped to be a leader in her work. And that’s exactly why she returned to school.

After earning a master's degree in her native country, Aithammousaid decided to pursue a bachelor's in the United States. But as a working mother, she said it was challenging. When her children were a bit older, though, she said she was ready to continue with her degree in a format that worked out well for her.

“(SNHU) is very convenient for a mom — a working mom,” said Aithammousaid. “It is just such a great place to be and take courses.”

While enrolled, her coursework allowed her to connect with and serve her community — something she said she loved. “In my nursing degree, I feel like all the courses were beneficial,” Aithammousaid said.

SNHU faculty and staff, she said, were also great — and they provided her with support. “They all guided us and led us to the right pathway,” she said.

As a first-generation student, Aithammousaid said earning her degree was such a great achievement. She expressed a desire to make her family — and everyone close to her — proud.

Aithammousaid traveled from her home in Everett, Massachusetts, to attend the 2024 Fall Commencement at SNHU. She said after hearing the stories of her fellow peers during the ceremony, she cried and said she couldn’t help but recall her own journey.

“It is worth all the hard work,” she said.

Now, motivated by her success, Aithammousaid said she hopes to pursue a master's degree. “Just getting my degree made me so proud,” she said. “(It) made me feel like I am going to be able to lead in my company.”

Abigayle Mahnken ’22 is an assistant content writer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and is currently earning a Master of Arts (MA) in English and Creative Writing. Passionate about storytelling and education, she enjoys learning from fellow students' experiences and sharing their stories. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and learning. She also really likes video games. Connect with her on LinkedIn.