Seeking the Heights Through Service

BY DR. VALERIE MORRISON (THETA SIGMA, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA)

In my 30 years and six months as a Navy Nurse Corps officer, I served in many different clinical and leadership positions. I worked in pediatrics, oncology, labor and delivery, nursery, postpartum, same-day surgery, medical-surgical and outpatient family practice. I culminated all this experience into the emergency room. Being in the military, I was trained in a multitude of classes. I was an instructor/provider in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and trauma nursing core course for more than 20 years of my career.

As I progressed in my career, I was given leadership roles of greater scope and responsibility – from charge nurse, unit manager and director of nursing to chief nursing officer. I also served in administrative staff roles at Navy Medicine Headquarters, managing policy and programs for medical officer recruitment, retention, special pays, promotions and more. I was also sent to graduate school for my master’s degree and earned my doctorate in business administration degree while working full-time.

Alpha Chi Omega helped me to achieve success in my career in many ways, starting in my collegiate years. Most importantly, I learned accountability… not just to my chapter sisters, but to something bigger. I felt a sense of pride when wearing my Alpha Chi Omega letters, just as I did when wearing my military uniform. I always wanted to represent both Alpha Chi Omega and the U.S. Navy in the best light.

As chapter president, I sat on the chapter relations and standards board. Similarly, throughout my career, I was a part of administrative boards and other legal hearings where military members were held accountable for their behavior. It was difficult to have to hold people to the standards and policies of each of these organizations. However, it is important to ensure organizational values and heritage carry forward.

I have witnessed how both Alpha Chi Omega and the U.S. Navy, as large organizations, have also held themselves accountable, continuously reviewing policies and processes to ensure an inclusive experience for all. I served in the military during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and its repeal. I lost an amazing mentor and friend to suicide because of the trauma of this policy. Repealing this policy made the military stronger. Now, I see beautiful pictures of my friends who can openly celebrate their life and love while serving in the military and making it an even better organization.

In 2019, I was preparing for retirement from the military. I saw a post on Facebook that the director for the Student Health Clinic at University of North Florida (UNF), my alma mater, was retiring. Since I was in the job market, I said, “That’s a great idea!”

I applied immediately. It was amazing to spend my undergraduate years at UNF, serve in the military for 30 years and then end up at UNF in my second career.

On June 29, 2020, I began my new role at the University of North Florida. My experiences in both Alpha Chi Omega and the military set me up to jump into this role in the midst of a pandemic, build an amazing team and move the clinic to new heights. These efforts resulted in the clinic being recognized two years in a row as the Spring 2021 and Spring 2022 Presidential Quality Customer Care Awardee.

Outside of work, I always found giving back to Alpha Chi Omega important. There were phases in my life when volunteering was more challenging since I was working full-time and had small children. It can be lonely serving in the military, especially being assigned to locations away from your immediate family and friends, so it was great to engage in Alpha Chi Omega activities when I could. As my children got older, I was able to take on more volunteering opportunities.

Alpha Chi Omega continues to provide me with volunteer opportunities to make a difference, such as facilitating at Leadership Academy for seven years. I did this with the desire to help our collegians gain the leadership and organizational skills they would need not only as officers of their chapters, but in the future when they are members of executive teams in corporations and other organizations.

I give back to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation to ensure that our Fraternity can continue to offer educational opportunities like Leadership Academy for our collegians, but also so that continued development opportunities can be offered for alumnae, such as the Seeking the Heights to Board Service program. Both are exceptional programs that are providing leadership tools to ensure women have a voice at the executive table of various organizations today and into the future. I have learned so much through all the roles I have held, and I strive to help provide those same opportunities for the next generation of real, strong women.

I think it is extremely important to contribute financially, as you can, to organizations whose missions align with your personal mission, vision and goals. Being a member of the Foundation’s Leadership Circle is important to me and my goal to ensure the continued leadership development of collegiate members. It is another way for me to continue my leadership journey in Alpha Chi Omega and to give back to the organization that has given me so much.