Rosy Samou, The Healthcare Dream Chaser
To say that Rosy Samou, of Ripon, has had a winding journey to get to Moraine Park Technical College would be an understatement.
Rosy is a native of Cameroon, Africa, and in the last five years has moved internationally twice, traveled nearly 10,000 miles, learned English, gave birth to her third child, earned her CNA, enrolled in the nursing program, and is now petitioning to be a Registered Nurse (RN).
“We moved because of my husband’s job. I was eight months pregnant when we relocated to Wisconsin,” Rosy said. “It was a hard transition. We had to start all over.”
Being in a foreign country was hard, but the biggest challenge for Rosy was that she didn’t speak English. Shortly after her arrival, Rosy met a friend, Mathilda also from Cameroon, who shared the same communication barrier. Her friend was taking the English Language Learning (ELL) class at Moraine Park Technical College and invited Rosy to come with her. Rosy embraced as an opportunity to learn a new language and find her sense of belonging here in the United States.
“My ELL instructor was David Block. He was warm and welcoming,” Rosy said. “He challenged me and helped me to learn this valuable skill.”
David taught Rosy in a series of classes that helped build her English speaking skills and overcome communication barriers.
“Rosy brings courage, resolve, and strength of character to all of her studies,” David Block said. “Her smile and words of encouragement have impacted many other students.”
Rosy was following her dream, but that dream wasn’t just to learn English, it was so much bigger than that. She aspired to be a nurse.
In Cameroon, she had taken nursing classes at the University. So, when she became settled in the United States, it made sense for her to continue working towards her nursing degree. In a remarkable amount of time, Rosy was able to communicate in English and felt comfortable enough to begin her nursing education. She started by taking the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course, which she passed with a perfect score. She was one step closer to her dream, but she didn’t stop there. Rosy then enrolled in the nursing program and has been taking classes year-round ever since. It should also come as no surprise that Rosy has been on the Dean’s list every semester.
“When I first came to the United States I didn’t fit in, and I wanted to go back home,” Rosy said. “Now, I am growing and learning. I love what I do and where I am. It almost feels like a dream.”
Rosy wasn’t alone in this process, in fact, she noted that at Moraine Park she has always felt supported. In particular, Rosy made a special connection with Laurice Snyder the diversity relations manager here at Moraine Park.
“Laurice is a special person,” said Rosy. “She inspires me to do well in school and helps me whenever I am in need.”
Laurice’s role at the College is to help students of color, like Rosy, find a welcoming place here at Moraine Park. Laurice’s work isn’t just with ethnic diversity, but also with inclusion regarding gender, race, and LGBTQIA diversities, to name a few.
“Everyone is welcome here at Moraine Park,” Laurice said. “We value who you are, and all the parts of your identity including race, religion, gender, and cultural background.”
Rosy took advantage of Moraine Park’s career laddering opportunities by first taking ELL classes, then a CNA class, and now is enrolled in our nursing program. The College offers many career laddering opportunities such as this, and upon completion, individuals are immediately more employable. Rosy will take her Nursing Pre-Admissions Examination (PAX) this fall, and then she can petition to begin her nursing clinical. She currently works as a CNA at Agnesian HealthCare, with hopes to be an RN in the near future.
Rosy is a change maker and an influencer for future generations of nursing students, and we have no doubts that she will continue to impact many lives.
For more information on healthcare career laddering opportunities at Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu/programs.