Amaris Aviles

Amaris Aviles is a nursing major from Crystal Lake, IL

Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL

High School: Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center

Year: Expected graduation: Fall 2026

What is your major (and/or minor), and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in nursing, with a focus on advancing into doctoral study, and I chose this path because I’m committed to becoming a nursing scientist. I contribute by becoming a translator of what I see, a builder of what’s missing and a connector who helps others understand the world through the lens I’m developing. My N‑SAFE‑9 research is a direct expression of that purpose. I recognized a gap in how nursing students are prepared for pharmacogenomic opioid safety, and instead of simply naming the gap, I built a tool to address it.

Tell us about the research you are conducting at NIU: what it involves, why it interests you and who has been important to your success along the way.
The N‑SAFE‑9 transforms an abstract problem into a measurable, actionable framework that educators and researchers can use. It’s one way I turn my inner clarity into something concrete — a structure that others can adopt, refine and build upon to improve patient safety and nursing education.

How has conducting research strengthened your experience at NIU, and how do you expect it to help you in the future?
My research strengthened my NIU experience by transforming me from a student into a knowledge‑creator, and it will shape my future by giving me the identity, skills and credibility of a nursing scientist.

What has genuinely surprised you about your experience at NIU?
I am genuinely surprised by how supported, challenged and inspired I have felt at NIU, especially by professors who freely invest in students and by classmates whose intelligence and work ethic push me to reach further.

Are you involved in student organizations, mentoring programs or extracurricular activities? If so, which ones, and how have they shaped your experience as a Huskie?
I’m part of the Adela de la Torre Latino Honor Society, the Hispanic Student Nurses Alianza (HSNA), the University Honors Program, Mortar Board, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and Sigma Lambda, and I serve as vice president of the Northern Prairie Alliance (NPA). I’ve also been a nursing tutor for four semesters, which connected me with students across cohorts and helped me feel rooted in the nursing community. Being surrounded by other high‑achieving students has pushed me to reach further and reminded me that I belong in academic spaces.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel supported and successful, and how?
I have been supported at NIU through community, faculty accessibility and advisers who actually listen, and each of these has shaped my success in a real, meaningful way. Being part of the Adela de la Torre Latino Honor Society has been especially impactful. Being surrounded by other high‑achieving Latino students created a sense of belonging, motivation and cultural pride. Professors in the School of Nursing keep their doors open, make themselves available and genuinely care about our success.

Who has been a favorite instructor or professor, and what did they teach? What made them memorable?
I carry each interaction I’ve had with NIU faculty with me. Every professor has contributed to the woman I am today, and I genuinely value the guidance I’ve received across the program. But I have to acknowledge one mentor who has been especially influential: Dr. Patrice Alsaden. Dr. Alsaden teaches in multiple settings — as my research professor, clinical professor and as an instructor for pathophysiology/pharmacology and Medical‑Surgical Nursing I. What makes her memorable is not only her depth of knowledge, but her ability to see potential in her students and actively cultivate it. She guided me through my research journey, challenged me academically and supported me personally. Her mentorship directly led to one of the most meaningful opportunities of my academic career: earning a full‑ride BSN‑to‑PhD offer from the University of Pittsburgh, which I received while presenting at the 37th Annual Sigma International Nursing Research Conference in Toronto, Canada. Her belief in me changed the way I see myself as a scholar, a researcher and a future nursing scientist. That is what makes her unforgettable.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community, and why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the MLK Commons. I’m drawn to it because it feels like the heart of NIU. I love watching students walk, talk, laugh and gather there. It’s refreshing to see a space where everyone naturally connects. There’s a hustle and bustle that reminds me how alive the campus is, and being in that environment makes me feel part of something bigger.

How has NIU helped you find your community or your sense of belonging here?
NIU helped me find belonging because I showed up. I put myself into communities of high‑achieving, motivated students, and those communities gave me connection, purpose and a sense of home. The Northern Prairie Alliance has also created one of the most meaningful community traditions: karaoke night at El Jimador. It’s something nursing students genuinely look forward to — a chance to unwind, meet new people and feel connected outside of the classroom. Those nights make the program feel lighter.

Why is a college education important to you?
As a first-generation student, a college education matters because it’s both a personal legacy and a collective purpose. It’s a way to set an example for your family, build a future you’re proud of and surround yourself with people striving for something bigger than themselves.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges right now?
Choose a college where the faculty are not just teaching the field but advancing it. At NIU, the nursing professors are truly experts in their fields — real nursing scientists who are actively conducting research and pushing the discipline forward. Their backgrounds are extraordinary, from collaborating with NASA to building programs at Harvard, and their expertise shows in how they teach, mentor and innovate. What makes NIU stand out is that the faculty don’t just talk about evidence‑based practice, they live it. They constantly update the curriculum based on student feedback, emerging science and the evolving needs of the healthcare system. NIU has become a leader in curriculum innovation, especially in preparing the next generation of genomic‑competent nurses. So, my advice is this: Choose a college where the professors are not only knowledgeable but actively shaping the future of the field. Find a place where faculty are accessible, invested and committed to your growth. That’s what makes the difference between simply earning a degree and becoming part of something bigger.

How do you manage your responsibilities like school, work, family and everything else while still making the most of your time at NIU?
I manage my responsibilities by staying organized and making sure the people in my life understand the commitment I’ve made to my education. As a nursing student, you can’t do everything at once, so having my family on the same page has been essential. When they know that school comes first, it becomes much easier to focus without feeling guilty or pulled in different directions.

Where did you transfer from?
I completed my Associate of Science degree and all my nursing prerequisites at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

What led you to choose NIU as your transfer destination?
I chose NIU as my transfer destination because where I’m from, people always talk about how strong NIU’s nursing program is. At first it was just something I heard in the community, but once I began researching and visiting, I realized the reality was even better than the reputation. NIU wasn’t just a good option — it was the place I genuinely needed to be.

What was the most challenging part of transferring, and how did NIU help you navigate it?
To some students, driving an hour away could feel overwhelming, but it is actually the time I use to unwind and reset before and after school. I put on a good album or a podcast and let the drive be my space to breathe.

How has your experience at NIU compared to your expectations when you were considering the transfer?
My experience at NIU didn’t just meet my expectations, it exceeded them by providing an education that helped me develop as a whole person, not just as a student. NIU taught me the habits and qualities that truly matter in life: being on time, communicating clearly, staying organized and managing my responsibilities with intention.

What would you tell a community college student who is thinking about transferring to NIU?
If you’re at a community college and thinking about transferring to NIU, do it. The nursing professors here are incredible — actual researchers, innovators and leaders in the field. You’ll feel supported, challenged and inspired every day.

How has living on campus (or commuting) shaped your experience as a Huskie? What support or resources have made that work well for you?
Commuting shaped my NIU experience by giving me structure, independence and a daily routine that actually supports my well-being, and NIU made it work by giving me a campus community worth driving to.

What Honors Program opportunities have helped you move closer to your academic or career goals?
One of the Honors Program opportunities that has helped me move closest to my academic and career goals is my involvement in Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society. Being inducted into Sigma Theta Tau gave me access to a community of nurse leaders, researchers and scholars who are shaping the future of the profession. Through Sigma Theta Tau, I was able to present my research at the 37th International Nursing Research Congress in Toronto, which directly led to my full‑ride BSN‑to‑PhD offer from the University of Pittsburgh.

What has it meant to be the first in your family to attend college, and what has NIU done to support you along the way?
Being a first‑generation student means I’m rewriting what’s possible for myself and my family. There is so much accomplishment and pride in being first‑gen. Seeing my parents so proud of me has given me a new confidence I didn’t have before. For the first time, I truly feel that anything is possible.

What scholarships or financial support have you received at NIU?
I received the Ari and Ruth Kovacevich Distinguished Scholarship Fund and the Harold W. Finney and Janet P. Finney Medical Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Did the availability of scholarships or financial aid factor into your decision to choose NIU? If so, how?
Yes, knowing my tuition would be covered as long as I kept my grades up was a major incentive and made NIU a smart, realistic choice.

How has that financial support shaped your ability to pursue your education and make the most of your time here?
Because my tuition was covered as long as I kept my grades up, I stayed motivated and focused. It allowed me to be present, engaged and committed to my education without constantly feeling overwhelmed. That support is a big part of why I’ve been able to make the most of my time here and grow into the student and future nurse I want to be.