02/11/2026
Gabby is the TUG Program Manager, she oversees the daily operations of our undergraduate nursing division, serving as a bridge between students and faculty. Her mission is to ensure that our 350+ nursing students have a seamless journey from their first orientation through to their Pinning Ceremony. Her work is highly varied and touches almost every aspect of the student experience:
- Student Support & Advising: I meet with prospective families to tour our skills labs, advise current students on their course schedules, and monitor academic progress to ensure everyone stays on track for graduation.
- Clinical Compliance: I manage the onboarding process for clinical placements, including tracking CastleBranch requirements to ensure every student is cleared for their clinical sites.
- Faculty Collaboration: I assist our faculty with course scheduling, rosters, and academic coordination to keep our classrooms running efficiently.
- Departmental Support: I provide administrative support to our Department Chair, Dr. Smith, manage monthly meeting operations, and proctor exams when needed.
Why she enjoys working with nursing students:
I love having the opportunity to guide students through every step of their journey. Every student has a unique story and a personal “why” for entering the profession. The most rewarding part of my job is definitely the Pinning Ceremony. Seeing the joy on their faces at the finish line—knowing the immense dedication and hard work it took to get there—is incredibly inspiring.
Her advice for nursing students:
The program is rigorous, but try to savor your time at APU because it goes by so fast! My biggest pieces of advice are:
- Communicate clearly: Strong communication is essential in school and in life. If you don’t speak up, no one can hear you or help you.
- Follow directions: Staying organized and attentive to details will make your journey much smoother.
- Use your resources: If you are struggling with a course, don’t hesitate to reach out and use the support systems available to you.
Outside of the School of Nursing, I’m a big fan of coffee and the outdoors. I love traveling and taking long walks with my dog!