Tony Holloway

Written By: Rachel Putman

“At UAFS, you’re not just a number. You’re a student people know. It’s inspiring.” said Tony Holloway, Clarksville High School grad earning his Associate Degree in Nursing at UAFS.

Here, Tony says, his nursing professors know him well enough to expect more than a decent grade. They want him to understand the material and ask questions, because they appreciate that when he leaves UAFS he needs to be ready to care for real patients.

“They strive for students to actually KNOW the material, not just pass the class,” he said.

For Tony, that’s important, because he already knows exactly the kind of nurse he wants to be.

“When I was in the hospital as a child, my nurses made me feel so safe and cared for,” he said. “They treated me with kindness, and that inspired me to want to do the same for others in my community. And the UAFS School of Nursing is where I want to grow into the kind of nurse who makes a positive difference.”

His professors know that about him, and they take his goals seriously.

“The nursing faculty and staff have made me feel confident, welcome and excited about the workforce,” he said. “UAFS is a smaller institution, and while some may see that as a flaw, it really makes this place feel like home, and it makes building those bonds with your faculty a lot easier.”

Being known at UAFS has also pushed Tony to recognize abilities beyond nursing.

“At UAFS, I have learned to be a leader,” he said. “I have learned to public speak, hold an RSO position, and feel confident in doing so.”

As a Cub Camp chair, Tony helped incoming freshmen navigate their first days at UAFS, especially students who arrive without an established group of friends or a support system already waiting for them.

“I got to be the person that led them through the transition from high school to college,” he said with a smile.

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