After years of service to her country and a rigorous academic journey, Cassandra Crick walked across the stage April 27 as a graduate of Davenport University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. A U.S. Navy veteran and first-generation college student, Crick represents the determination and grit that define many of Davenport’s students.

“Back in 2022, I completed my service in the Navy. That same year, I was accepted into Davenport University’s nursing program, ready to begin the next chapter of my life,” she said. “But my journey to this moment didn’t start in 2022—it started long before that.”

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas, Crick was always a high achiever—but her path to higher education wasn’t clear. “I was smart and driven, but opportunities were limited,” she said. Though she earned scholarships, the financial gap remained too large. At 17, unsure of her career path but wanting to do something meaningful with her life, she enlisted in the Navy.

At 18, Crick was stationed overseas at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Japan. There, she worked with Navy nurses and medical corps officers, witnessing firsthand the impact they had on their patients and the people around them. 

“Over time, they saw something in me, and they would often say, ‘You’d make a great nurse.’ And that’s when my passion for nursing started to grow,” she said.

Her time in the Navy taught her discipline, resilience, and how to push through even when things felt impossible. 

“Being stationed overseas, thousands of miles from home, I had to become independent,” said Crick. “I had to be fearless in the face of uncertainty. And I had to learn how to care for people—not just as a medical professional, but as a human being.”

And while the Navy gave her purpose, it also gave her something else — her husband — a fellow service member originally from Lake Orion, Michigan.

After nearly five years in the Navy, Crick was honorably discharged in 2022. She and her husband decided to relocate to Michigan, near where her husband had grown up and had family, and begin the next phase of her life—nursing school. 

She selected Davenport University largely due to the school’s support for veterans and its recognition of military medical training. As a former Navy hospital corpsman, Crick was able to transfer a year’s worth of coursework through Davenport’s Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program.

“Davenport was one of the few schools that honored my military experience,” Crick said. “They accepted my training and made my transition back to civilian education smoother.”

Crick enrolled at Davenport’s Warren campus in September 2022 and quickly adjusted to her new role as a student. Still, the shift from military life to academia came with challenges. “It was a huge transition. I went from a highly structured environment in the Navy to navigating life as a student, a new wife, and someone living in a completely new state,” she said.

Throughout her time at Davenport, Crick found support in both faculty and peers. She credits Warren Nursing program director Kim Garza, professor Gideon Njankwi and professor Sarah Charnesky with helping her succeed. 

“Professor Garza guided me through my first semester and helped me adjust to nursing coursework,” she said. “And Professor Njankwi and Professor Charnesky were a consistent source of encouragement and motivation throughout my time here. They always had advice, answers, and support when I needed it.”

Crick will begin her nursing career at McLaren Health as an ICU nurse—a position that aligns with her long-term goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Admission to CRNA programs is highly competitive and typically requires critical care experience. Crick plans to apply to graduate programs within the next five years.

“I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful with my life,” she said. “Nursing gives me that opportunity to make a real difference.”

As a first-generation college graduate, Crick says the achievement is especially meaningful for her and her family. It meant a lot to her to have her mother and her great aunt, who is also an Army veteran, travel from Texas to attend Davenport’s commencement ceremony. 

“Looking back, I realize just how much stepping outside of my comfort zone has shaped me,” Crick said. “Growth comes from stepping into the unknown, and while it’s scary, it’s worth it.”

Crick encourages those considering a career in nursing to explore the profession before fully committing. “If you think nursing is your calling, try working as a nursing assistant or shadowing a nurse. Understand what the job really involves. If you still see yourself in that role, go for it and give it your all.”

She also offered advice to other veterans thinking about returning to school. “It’s a big adjustment, but Davenport supports you,” she said. “They recognize what you’ve done, and they help you build on it.”

To learn more about Davenport Veteran Services and academic credit for military experience, visit https://www.davenport.edu/veterans .