Nursing Student: Scholarship ‘Proof That People Believe in Me’

Michael Duran grew up in Beloit as a first-generation Mexican American after his parents moved from Mexico to provide him with a better future.

A student in the Nursing program, Michael’s biggest drive to succeed comes from a desire to help out his family. He travels all over Rock County working as a fill-in CNA through a staffing agency when not attending classes.

Michael got into the nursing field so that he could help others improve their overall wellness.

“I want to educate people on bettering their own health and lifestyle, we only live one life and none of us should live days filled with pain or crippling anxiety,” he said.

A recipient of the MercyHealth Making Lives Better Scholarship offered through the Blackhawk Foundation, Michael said it makes him realize there are people out there who believe in him.

The scholarship keeps him striving to improve, and the support at Blackhawk helps him to stay on track and help him grow personally and professionally.

“There are various resources to help you succeed and some great areas to study and socialize with peers,” he said.

Planning to graduate in 2024, Michael hopes to find a well-compensating job while continuing to improve and learn skills as a nurse while finding his expertise within his field.

For more information on the Nursing program, go to blackhawk.edu/nursing.

Mercyhealth - Making Lives Better - Scholarship

Mercyhealth Corporation established the Mercyhealth - Making Lives Better - Scholarship to provide full-ride scholarships for Blackhawk Technical College students. A full-ride scholarship is awarded to four (4) students annually that includes tuition, fees and books and follows the student for entire length of his/her program. Students must be enrolled (or will be enrolling) in Nursing, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Culinary Arts, or Phlebotomy Technician and be willing to participate in a paid internship with Mercyhealth aligned with their field of study. Students can either be enrolled as part-time (minimum six credits) or full-time students and must be a resident of Rock County. Scholarship is available to new or continuing students with preference given to students showing financial need.