As a nurse in a rural hospital and a K-12 school in New Mexico, alumna Holly Hagy, BSN ’15, spends her days and nights thinking about health and wellness in the broadest definition. Inspired by the incredible grit of her students over the challenges they endured over the past year, Hagy decided to launch a new class at the high school aimed at social and emotional learning. “My goal is to help my students look at all areas of wellness from environmental, economic, social, physical, and mental health to help them lead future generations. I want to teach the students, who will become teachers themselves,” says Hagy. She hopes to ignite their inclination and participation for living in the moment. “It is important to take small steps to achieve something important. Working on yourself is a life-long process,” she says.

Hagy believes in her practice it is important to meet people where they are and to remain open to all possibilities. “From visiting hospital patients in their rooms to spending time with a child during their first days of school,” says Hagy, “I love how different people are, and I love being able to make their day better, no matter how small. Everyone has a story, and it’s so important to stay open, so I can understand what is needed most.”