Celebrating the fall 2025 class of Spartan Nurses

Graduation at Michigan State College of Nursing is nothing short of monumental. It’s a moment to honor our determined, hardworking, and deeply committed students as they take their next step in their nursing journeys.

This fall, the college will proudly recognize:

-       Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 47 graduates

-       Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses (RN to BSN): 3 graduates

-       Post-Graduate Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): 17 graduates

-       MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): 7 graduates

-       MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): 4 graduates

-       MSN Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): 1 graduate

-       Post-Masters DNP: 3 graduates

Along with the in-person graduation and pinning ceremonies, the college also highlights the exceptional accomplishments of our top-performing graduates. Each program presents an Outstanding Student Award and Spirit Award, celebrating students who exemplify excellence, leadership, and community.

The university further honors students who have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout their academic career, designated as “4.0 Honors” students. This year, nursing student Emma Johnson is among those receiving this distinction.

“This journey would have been much more difficult without the support of my friends and classmates. Together, we experienced long clinical days and late nights studying, encouraging one another when things felt overwhelming. Spartan Nurses support one another and lead by example with compassion, resilience, and purpose,” said Johnson.

The Outstanding Student Award recognizes graduates who have excelled in scholarship, clinical performance, and leadership.

Outstanding Student Award Recipients:

·       TBSN Outstanding Student Award: Emma Johnson

·       RN to BSN Outstanding Student Award: Caroline Gerlach

·       Post-Masters, DNP Program: Justin Hooks

·       Psychiatric Mental Health, Post Graduate Certification Program: Karishma Guha

·       Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program: Caley Gibson

The Spirit Award recognizes a student who has done the most to motivate and inspire their classmates to uphold the college’s mission and keep up morale.

TBSN Spirit Award Recipient: Ekatorini Balouris

“Our fall pinning graduates are exceptionally well educated, hardworking, and deeply committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient they serve. We could not be prouder as these new Spartan Nurses step forward ready to make a meaningful difference in their communities, where the need for nurses is critical,” said Dean Leigh Small.

Published December 16, 2025.