“Graduating feels like a dream come true. I’ve faced so much—but I never gave up. And now, I’m here.”

— Gabriella Brown, Associate Degree in Nursing Graduate

Gabriella Brown started college in 2020—in the middle of a global pandemic. Four years later, she’s walking the stage with her nursing degree, a job lined up at St. David’s Medical Center, and her 1-year-old daughter watching her lead the way.

“I will be the first in my family to graduate from college with a nursing degree. I have faced many challenges from financial struggles, pregnancy, and mental fatigue to get to this point. So to sum it up, I’m proud of myself for graduating.”

Having spent her entire life in Round Rock, Gabriella knew she wanted to stay close to home. What brought her to ACC was clear: the reputation of the Nursing Program.

“I knew I wanted a nursing program with real, hands-on training. ACC gave me that. It offered me many resources. The most amazing ones have been my professors in the nursing program.”

But the road wasn’t easy. At times, the pressure felt overwhelming. A turning point came in microbiology class—her last before applying to the nursing program. Discouragement started to creep in. But then, a pep talk from her professor changed everything.

“She said, ‘Gabby, I have seen you on numerous occasions go above and beyond to prepare yourself for this class. You show up on time and you always give your best effort. It’s easy to feel that sense of imposter syndrome, but you are exactly where you need to be. And you are going in the exact direction that you’re supposed to. Never forget that.’ I really needed those words of encouragement to push myself to finish.”

With that mindset, Gabby pushed forward. She got into the program, trained, studied, and leaned on her ACC community—especially during Level 4, the toughest stretch of the program.

“The entire Level 4 nursing staff kept pushing me to be the best nurse I can be. They believed in me. That made all the difference.”

Her biggest motivator? Her daughter.

“She’s my greatest motivation to continue on this journey. I get to show her what’s possible.”

Up next? Studying for the NCLEX exam, becoming a licensed RN, and then jumping right into her Labor and Delivery role.

And to students just starting out, she shares this advice:

“Make connections wherever you go. Good grades are important—but having support is what helps you keep going. Without my classmates, ACC staff, and faculty, I don’t know where I’d be.”

Help us celebrate her and the Class of 2025 at austincc.edu/commencement. 

Tags: Health Science, nursing, Spring 2025 Commencement, Spring 2025 Graduation