How a Scholarship Helped Tyvonna Pursue Her Nursing Dream
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Nursing Major
Tyvonna already holds a psychology degree from the University of Connecticut, still her return to school for nursing marked an entirely new beginning.
“Back then, I was still supported by my parents,” she said. “Now I’m on my own, caring for family, managing bills, and trying to balance real life. It looks very different financially.”
She was lucky to receive a scholarships from her employer Yale New Haven Hospital, but the costs of nursing school piled up.
When she learned about the Gateway Community College Foundation’s emergency scholarship, with hope and out of necessity, she applied.
“When one scholarship I applied for fell through, I was in full panic mode. I was worried about the application process, but it was simple, and when I received help, it lifted such a heavy burden off my shoulders.”
Her path to nursing was anything but linear. After graduating from UConn, Tyvonna felt unsure of her next step. “At that age, I was doing what I thought I was supposed to do,” she said. “UConn was a big school, and though I loved the experience, it was still overwhelming. I realized I learn best in smaller, more personal environments.”
After college, she worked at Amazon, where a manager encouraged her to explore healthcare through the company’s education program. “Amazon paid for my phlebotomy certification,” she said. “That opened the door to dialysis, then travel dialysis, and eventually to applying at Yale New Haven Health.”
The process took nearly five years, but she never lost sight of her dream. She took one prerequisite class at a time, determined to move forward. “Every semester was another step closer,” she said. “When I finally got into both Yale New Haven Health and Gateway’s nursing program, it felt like everything had come full circle.”
“I took a class here while doing my undergrad at UConn ” she said. “Gateway is close to home, and the community feels genuine. I didn’t realize until recently that many of my colleagues studied or worked here too.
Learning about the Yale New Haven Health Wing and the partnership between the two institutions made it all feel more connected like this is a place where I can grow and continue to be a part of this community.”
This second degree, she said, carries a deeper meaning. “This one feels like it’s truly mine. I’m more mature now. I know how I learn, what I want, and how to ask for help. I’ve learned to advocate for myself, and Gateway supports that.”
Her gratitude for the Gateway Foundation and its donors runs deep. “Thank you for thinking of students like me,” she said. “The scholarship made my education feel within reach not just academically, but financially. It turned something that once felt impossible into reality.”
Looking ahead, Tyvonna hopes to stay within the community that helped her grow. “It’s great to know I can work here, maybe even teach here, or one day create a scholarship for someone else,” she said. “I don’t regret anything. I’m proud that I found a way to earn the degree I want without going into debt.”