This spotlight is part of a special series dedicated to the four new graduating cohorts of the Class of 2025 — the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, and the Master of Public Affairs — each of which reflects the mission of the American University of Armenia (AUA) to cultivate excellence, impact, and innovation across diverse fields.
Transformation is the word that best defines the journey of the 2025 graduating class of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS). The resilience, determination, and growth of the ten remarkable graduates exemplify the spirit of the program.
Balancing intense academic demands with work and family responsibilities, these students faced a journey that was as challenging as it was rewarding. From the outset, joining AUA was a cultural and academic shift — one that required them to unlearn previous habits and adopt new skills aligned with AUA’s rigorous academic expectations. With the consistent support of faculty, teaching assistants, language instructors, and the dedicated CHS staff, the students rose to meet the challenge.
“The support we provided to our students has paid tremendously. We saw significant transformations every step of the way not only at the professional level but also at the personal level: a transformation in how they address problems, how they think about them, how they research them, how they work together as a team to find solutions, and how they resolve conflict to reach their goals,” reflected Dr. Nour Alayan, BSN program chair.
Throughout the program, faculty never lowered expectations. Instead, they raised students’ capabilities by identifying gaps and responding with strengthened course content, case-based learning, laboratory practice, and mentoring.
This commitment to educational integrity and student development laid the foundation for both professional and personal transformation, clearly demonstrated during the senior students’ practicum at Winchester Hospital, Massachusetts. “The hospital’s staff and administration were impressed by the BSN students from AUA, specifically their professionalism, inquisitive minds, and hunger to learn more about ways to improve nursing in Armenia. They were also struck by their English language skills, when they knew that the Armenian nurses had learned the language within just one to two years of starting the BSN program,” noted Vicky Herkelian, BSN lecturer, who supervised the BSN students during their practicum at Winchester.
Now, as they prepare to grow within the healthcare workforce, the BSN graduates are already serving as resource persons and change agents in their workplaces. Their final capstone projects demonstrated not only academic proficiency but also a clear vision for advancing healthcare in Armenia — tackling critical topics that align with national needs and global best practices.
“We are certain that the AUA BSN graduates will continue to have a significant and pioneering impact on the improvement of patient outcomes and the quality of healthcare services in Armenia and the region,” concluded Dr. Alayan.
Graduate in Focus: Maria Aleksandrova (BSN ’25)
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.