{"id":2013,"date":"2026-07-29T14:05:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T14:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/?p=2013"},"modified":"2026-07-29T14:05:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T14:05:26","slug":"more-than-a-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/2026\/07\/29\/more-than-a-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"More Than a Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"
For junior nursing student Kameron Riggins, choosing to attend Marshall University was about finding more than just a college \u2014 it was about finding a community. Drawn to Marshall\u2019s smaller atmosphere and close-knit environment, Kameron said Marshall immediately felt different from other schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted the college experience, but somewhere that still felt personal,\u201d Kameron said. \u201cAt Marshall, you get real people with real connections.\u201d<\/p>\n

That sense of connection has shaped nearly every part of his experience as a student. As a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in nursing, Kameron said Marshall has provided him with the support system and encouragement needed to overcome challenges and grow both academically and personally.<\/p>\n

His passion for nursing began long before college. Inspired by his mother, who earned her associate degree in nursing from a community college in Parkersburg, Kameron became fascinated with the medical field at a young age.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was little, we would always talk about bones, muscles and how the body worked,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what really sparked my interest in health care.\u201d<\/p>\n

After his mother passed away when he was young, Kameron said life became more difficult. Despite being the first in his immediate family to pursue a four-year degree, he remained determined to continue his education.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew getting a strong education and pushing forward was what my mom would have wanted for me,\u201d Kameron said.<\/p>\n

Now, Kameron hopes to one day work in an intensive care unit, helping patients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to work in the ICU and support patients who are often at their worst,\u201d he said. \u201cNursing allows you to truly be present with people and make every day a better day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kameron credits Marshall\u2019s rigorous nursing program for preparing him for that future. While the coursework can be challenging, he said the program gives students an extensive understanding of the nursing profession while surrounding them with faculty members who genuinely care about student success.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall has pushed me, challenged me and encouraged me to be the best version of myself,\u201d he said. \u201cThe professors here really want students to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside the classroom, Kameron said the sense of belonging within the Marshall community has been one of the most rewarding parts of his college experience. Whether attending Week of Welcome events, football games, homecoming activities or late-night study sessions, he said Marshall\u2019s spirit and support stand out.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of schools have traditions, but what makes Marshall special is the people,\u201d he said. \u201cThe community here is rock-solid and unwavering. It really feels like home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Being a member of Kappa Sigma has also played an important role in his college journey. Through the fraternity, Kameron said he found a group of supportive brothers who motivate one another to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals together.<\/p>\n

As a first-generation student, Kameron admitted there have been moments where navigating college felt overwhelming without the guidance many students receive from family members who previously attended college. However, he said Marshall\u2019s commitment to supporting students has made all the difference. Programs like Student Support Services and Marshall For All provided him with resources, mentorship and encouragement throughout his journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be difficult when you\u2019re figuring things out mostly on your own,\u201d Kameron said. \u201cBut Marshall has people who truly care about students and want to see them succeed beyond just numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

One person who made a particularly meaningful impact on his experience was Bonnie Bailey, director of Student Support Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Bailey has always been there for me through both the highs and the lows,\u201d he said. \u201cNo problem is too small for her, and she always wants to help students move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshall For All has also played a major role in Kameron’s college experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first got the letter for Marshall For All, I didn’t really believe it,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought maybe it was just another scholarship or something like that. But once I became part of the program, I realized Marshall created it to help students come in, thrive and succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kameron said the support extends far beyond financial assistance. He credits Jennifer Jimison for helping students navigate every aspect of college life while creating a welcoming community.<\/p>\n

\u201cJennifer has been there for so much more than the expenses the program covers,\u201d he said. \u201cShe really cares about her students and helps us with classes, housing or even just being someone to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through meet-and-greets and cohort events, Kameron said Marshall For All has allowed students to build lasting friendships while supporting one another throughout college. He also said the program’s classes have helped prepare him for life after graduation by teaching financial literacy, building confidence and encouraging students to invest in their futures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey’ve given me the resources and skills I need to succeed after graduation,\u201d he said. \u201cI’m very thankful for everything they’ve done, and I feel so much more prepared for my future career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back on his time at Marshall so far, Kameron said growth has been the defining theme of his college experience. From academic challenges to lifelong friendships, he believes every opportunity has helped prepare him for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made friends, brothers and memories here that I\u2019ll never forget,\u201d he said. \u201cMarshall has shaped me into someone who is ready to show up, work hard and make a real difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Above all, Kameron hopes others take away the importance of community and support from his story.<\/p>\n

\u201cCollege can be hard, but at Marshall, you know you\u2019re never alone,\u201d he said. \u201cThrough all the differences and struggles, people come together here to support each other. That\u2019s what it means to say, \u2018We Are Marshall.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For junior nursing student Kameron Riggins, choosing to attend Marshall University was about finding more than just a college \u2014 it was about finding a community. Drawn to Marshall\u2019s smaller atmosphere and close-knit environment, Kameron said Marshall immediately felt different from other schools. \u201cI wanted the college experience, but somewhere that still felt personal,\u201d Kameron […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":945,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-moments"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/945"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2013"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2082,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013\/revisions\/2082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/moments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}