Spring 2009 - Outstanding Graduates

Brian Arnett

Brian Arnett has used his diverse background to help him succeed in his nursing education. He is a former Eagle Scout, father of 9-month old daughter, and an experienced hospital nursing assistant and unit secretary. A Banner Arizona Nursing Scholar, Brian has served as a SNA chapter board member and national delegate for the Polytechnic campus nursing program. Drawing upon his leadership skills and experience, he has mentored other nursing students. His wife also is graduating this semester with a degree in music education.

Heather Beeman

Heather Beeman has a remarkable record of achievement as a student at the College of Nursing & Health Innovation. With a 4.0 GPA, she is graduating summa cum laude. In her community involvement, Heather has displayed leadership and compassion for others through her involvement in Cross Roads Youth Intervention, which provides vulnerable and homeless children in a downtown Phoenix neighborhood with care, food, clothing and social activities. While serving as president of the College Council of Nursing Students, she still has been active in the Student Nursing Association (SNA) chapter. Heather also received a Performance Award for her externship at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix.

Renee Chavez

Renee Chavez has taken a different path to her nursing education and future career. A graduate of Stanford University with a BS in Biology, she has worked as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab and in a research company that conducted trials for major pharmaceutical companies. A critical care nurse with whom she worked on a clinical trial was a major influence in Renee’s decision to pursue a nursing career. Her mother’s work as a volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation and to help battered women and hospice patients in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico also has inspired Renee’s career dreams. She also has been active in SNA at the Polytechnic campus.

Shay Chicci

Shay Chicci has channeled her interest in people into a strong record of community involvement and achievement. With help friends, she started Step Up, a group that holds monthly service projects to help raise money for non-profit organizations, holds food drives, tutors students, and takes part in various health-cause walks. A member of the SNA Project Committee, Shay also has been involved in the community through her work at the St. Vincent de Paul Clinic. Working with her preceptor at the clinic, she is working on a local research study of pediatric diabetes.

Jill Kripps

Jill Kripps delayed her entry into the professional division of the nursing program to complete her eligibility on the ASU swim team due to the time demands of each program. Jill found that the leadership skills she learned as a co-captain of the swim team translated perfectly into nursing when she resumed her nursing education. She excelled in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and served as SNA Senior Two representative while coaching 180 age 5-18 swimmers during summers.

Danielle Mcburnett

Danielle McBurnett, 17, is the youngest Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate in the history of Arizona State University. Danielle enrolled at ASU at age 15 after earning an Associate in Arts degree with highest distinction with a 4.0 GPA from Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She has repeated that performance and is graduating summa cum laude with her BSN from the ASU College of Nursing & Health Innovation. She already has been accepted in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at ASU for fall semester 2009. Danielle also has shown leadership qualities outside of the classroom. She has held leadership positions in the Student Nursing Association, served as Polytechnic Student Representative to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and taken part in the YMCA Youth and Government program that teaches leadership through political involvement and advocacy.