通过MMU和SAU取得成功

Long before discussion of an institutional partnership between Mount Mercy大学 和 St. 安布罗斯大学, Nichole (Clefisch) Plagge was a beneficiary of the academic opportunities provided by both institutions.  

尼科尔的专业是 生物学 和 心理学 1997年毕业于Mount Mercy大学. She then earned a graduate degree at St. 安布罗斯在物理治疗. That set her on a professional path that led her to her current role as Clinical Manager for Physical Therapy 和 Oncology Physical Therapist at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.  

“I feel both schools have very strong academic programs, 有稳固的领导和远见, 和 can embrace the mission-based roots that both of them have,她解释道, “to create an exceptional environment for students with so many opportunities.” 

Nichole is one of the select individuals with personal knowledge of both environments as part of her academic journey, giving her unique perspective on the benefits of institutional collaboration. 

“As someone who attended both institutions, I see this as an incredible partnership, 有这么多积极的机会,她解释道. “Both institutions have done very well in creating strong academic programs, 博彩平台, 领导项目, 还有更多. All of this will now be available to students. I am excited to see how this progresses 和 what the future holds for this partnership.” 

Nichole envisioned her own future in the medical field from the time she was a freshman in high school. She arrived at Mount Mercy from her hometown of Guttenberg, 爱荷华州, with the intention of becoming a physician.  

“Coming from a small town 和 a small school, I knew I wanted to go to a smaller college where I would still feel connected to the community,尼科尔回忆道. “我看了几所学校, 和 when I came to my campus visit at Mount Mercy, 感觉非常合适.” 

With guidance from Mount Mercy mentors such as Dr. 弗兰克Jaszcz, she found herself excelling in science 和 the opportunities presented by a path in 生物学. 

“I still feel today that my 生物学 degree from Mount Mercy is one of the strongest science degrees in the college realm,尼科尔说。. “I ended up with a double major in 生物学 和 心理学, as I found 心理学 to be not only fascinating, but a valuable asset to a career in medicine.” 

"I still feel today that my 生物学 degree from Mount Mercy is one of the strongest science degrees in the college realm.——nichole (Clefisch) Plagge, 1997年

积累经验, Nichole began volunteering at Mercy Medical Center, eventually becoming a permanent volunteer in physical therapy. That led to a weekend job as a rehabilitation technician, 和 after seeing the important role of rehab in changing people’s lives, she made a decision to pursue physical therapy as a graduate degree. 

“I applied to three physical therapy schools, 和 St. 达文波特的安布罗斯就是那个, 再一次。, 感觉像家一样, 有一个强大的计划, 而且很适合我,”她说。. “The professors were not only excellent academically, but made sure we were all compassionate, 还有有爱心的临床医生.” 

When she earned her graduate degree from St. 安布罗斯，2000年, a physical therapist position opened up at Mercy Medical Center, 从那以后她一直呆在哪里. 在她今天的角色中, she oversees 11 physical therapy clinics 和 inpatient physical therapy services, managing 51 people 和 the department budgets, 人员配备, 扩张计划和增长, 过程开发, 跨学科的项目, 以及所有的行政职能.  

Nichole said what she learned at Mount Mercy 和 St. Ambrose helped prepare her for professional success. 

“Mount Mercy’s excellent 生物学 和 心理学 programs, the dedicated professors from those programs 和 their true interest in students provided the guidance 和 direction to allow me to get into physical therapy graduate school,尼科尔说。. 圣. 安布罗斯很出色. 教训地, I felt very prepared for a career in physical therapy 和 confident to explore the many realms of the profession.” 

With both institutions now combining what they have to offer, Nichole believes students will have more options 和 an enhanced academic experience.  

“我想……. Ambrose 和 Mount Mercy can bring different program opportunities to both of their students, 并提供更多的毕业生路径,”她说。. “总的来说, for a student to have the ability to have two amazing colleges available to them, 在两个不同的城市, both with so many different things to offer, 是很好的包装.” 

外学者, both institutions operate under a spirit of compassion that encourages students to lead a life of service. That ethic continues to drive Nichole—her many volunteer pursuits include the Cedar Valley Humane Society, 返回西伯利亚哈士奇救援, Live by Living (a cancer survivorship group), Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer, 印第安溪自然中心, 和 the Mission Advancement Committee at Mercy Medical. 

Additionally, Nichole gives back through her service on the Mount Mercy 校友 Board.  

“Giving back to the community 和 volunteering is a core value for me, 和 something our whole family has invested in,尼科尔说。, who lives in Cedar Rapids with her husb和 和 three sons.   

“Catherine McAuley said ‘We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us,’” she added. “I feel volunteering allows us to share our light with others who need it.”