SCF Foundation - Inspire Magazine Fall 2015/2016

It was such a great experience to personally thank so many people who have influenced my life and the lives of others through their generosity.

On her journey to become a pediatric nurse, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Ashley Eickelmann has faced financial struggles, but the generosity of the SCF Foundation benefactors has strengthened her resolve to achieve her dreams.

Dedicated to preparing for her nursing career, Eickelmann proudly maintained a 4.0 grade-point average while juggling part-time jobs at Kiddie Academy in Lakewood Ranch and Whitfield Exchange and working as a babysitter. Eickelmann is one of many deserving SCF “gap students” who earns too much money to qualify for financial aid but not enough to cover the cost of tuition and books.

For her stellar academic performance and hard work, she received the Keith E. Tucker Scholarship at the SCF Foundation. She was honored to serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the SCF Foundation’s 14th Annual Scholarship Luncheon to thank benefactors for their support of SCF students.

“It was such a great experience to personally thank so many people who have influenced my life and the lives of others through their generosity,” Eickelmann said.

Eickelmann, who is extremely thankful for the scholarships she has received, understands the importance of investing in the community through service even when money is scarce.

While her parents have been unable to pay for her education after experiencing hardship during the economic downturn, Eickelmann has continued to follow her passion for helping care for children. Inspired by her mother, who is a language arts teacher at Braden River Middle School, she first considered becoming an elementary school teacher. She volunteered at her church and local elementary schools and earned her Child Development Associate credential as a student at Lakewood Ranch High School.

When she came to SCF, she discovered that she enjoyed biology and decided to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. She has seized every opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives and has begun paying it forward by serving as a volunteer at Manatee Memorial Hospital’s pediatric, labor and delivery, and neonatal intensive-care units.

Eickelmann earned an Associate in Arts degree in Spring 2015 with plans to continue at SCF in the Associate in Science in Nursing Program. She earned her nursing degree in Spring 2018.