In the spirit of acknowledging exceptional achievements of our Nursing students in the community the College of Nursing proudly recognized outstanding graduating students through the 2025 Student Excellence Awards. These awards were bestowed upon deserving nominees whose dedication, leadership, and contributions stood as shining examples within the WSU College of Nursing.
Outstanding Prelicensure BSN Student
Emily Lloyd
Spokane, WA
Emily Lloyd is nominated for the Outstanding Prelicensure BSN Student Award for her leadership, teamwork, creativity, and dedication to learning. She actively engages in clinical experiences, enriching discussions and inspiring peers. Her perseverance and integrity stood out when she overcame a significant challenge with thoughtful problem-solving and grace. Her commitment to excellence and ability to foster a supportive environment make her highly deserving of this recognition.
Outstanding RN-BSN Student
Simon Kirpa
Vancouver, WA
Simon Kirpa is a dedicated RN to BSN student with a passion for veterans’ health. He plans to become an Acute Care and Family Nurse Practitioner after gaining experience. His scholarly excellence was highlighted in Dr. Connie Kim Yen Nguyen-Truong’s course, where his paper on chronic illness among veterans stood out. A veteran himself, Simon is a respected leader who embraces scholarly writing and advocacy for veteran culture, demonstrating vision, courage, and commitment to nursing leadership.
Outstanding MN Student
Magdalena Stark
Tri-Cities, WA
Magdalena Stark is recognized for her interdisciplinary collaboration, strong teaching skills, and leadership in guiding students to a state leadership conference in Arizona. Her ability to balance academics, projects, family, and self-care were admired. The College of Nursing looks forward to her graduation and future achievements.
Outstanding DNP Student
Theresa Bowden
Spokane, WA
Theresa Bowden is recognized for her leadership, service-learning, and dedication to addressing the nursing workforce shortage in rural Washington. She played a key role in advancing the Rural Nurse Education Bill (SB 5335), influencing policy through advocacy, collaboration with healthcare leaders, and testimony before the Senate Healthcare and Wellness Committee. Her work has directly impacted rural communities by improving access to care and supporting nursing professionals. Through her efforts, Theresa has demonstrated exceptional commitment to both Washington State University and the broader healthcare landscape.
Outstanding PhD Student
Natasha Barrow
Spokane, WA
Natasha Barrow, MSN, BSN, RN, PhD candidate, is an exceptional scholar recognized for her dedication to health equity, nurse burnout research, and anti-racism initiatives. She has made significant contributions through high-impact, grant-funded projects, peer-reviewed publications, and community-based participatory research. Her innovative work on data tracking tools has gained international recognition, and her leadership has amplified the voices of underrepresented communities. Natasha excels in research, teaching, and advocacy, consistently demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and commitment to improving healthcare. Her contributions make her a highly deserving recipient of the Outstanding PhD Student Award.
Inclusive Excellence Award
Liana Elmaliah
Spokane, WA
Liana Elmaliah exemplifies WSU’s core values through her dedication, advocacy, and compassion in community health clinicals. She actively supports vulnerable populations, engages meaningfully in post-conference discussions, and participated in the Spokane houseless community’s point-in-time shelter count. Her clinical site, CHAS-Valley, praised her kindness, depth of knowledge, and ability to build trust with patients. Nurses there expressed their hope that she will consider joining their team in the future. Her commitment to community nursing makes her a strong candidate for recognition.
Clinical Excellence Award
Anayansi Lopez
Spokane, WA
Anayansi Lopez is a standout leader committed to health equity, cultural competence, and service. She advocates for her peers, demonstrates professionalism, and responds decisively in critical situations, as seen when she assisted with chest compressions during a cardiac arrest. Her advocacy for a Spanish-speaking migrant farmworker ensured better care and trust-building. As an ROTC nurse cadet, she earned top ranks in med-surg and continues to serve as an EMT for the Pullman Fire Department. Her clinical excellence, leadership, and dedication to serving others make her highly deserving of recognition.
DAISY Award
Lindsey Palmquist
Spokane, WA
Lindsey Palmquist is nominated for the DAISY Award for her exceptional compassion and dedication to patient-centered care. During the Point-in-Time Count, she provided warmth, empathy, and advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness, building trust and addressing their needs with deep respect. Her ability to connect with vulnerable populations and remain steadfast in the face of suffering exemplifies the core values of nursing. A fellow nurse commended Lindsey’s professionalism and compassion, noting how she embraced the first principle of nursing—caring. Her unwavering commitment to serving others makes her highly deserving of this recognition.
Each awarded nominee has demonstrated outstanding leadership, compassion, and dedication to nursing. Their commitment to advocacy, patient-centered care, and health equity reflects the core values of the WSU College of Nursing. As they advance in their careers, their contributions will continue to shape the future of healthcare, exemplifying the college’s mission to prepare skilled, compassionate, and impactful nursing professionals.
