Finding a Home and a Calling
When Soromtobechukwu Victorious Uzondu ’25 set out to pursue college, she had a clear plan in place. Living with family in New York City, Uzondu had her sights set on a university in Burlington, Vt. But the global COVID-19 pandemic changed all that and rerouted her to an unexpected yet ultimately transformative home at Elmhurst University.
Her story is like many with the pandemic as a backdrop: Isolation led to loneliness and an evaluation of life before a fulfilling reconnection with a supportive community and a newfound sense of purpose at Elmhurst, where hospitality, care and attention are hallmarks that build confidence and enable students to thrive.
A Search for Belonging
As she tried to get her college plans off the ground in New York City, canceled flights sent the 18-year-old into panic mode. She couldn’t fly to Vermont, but she could scroll.
It was during this time of uncertainty that fate—in the form of a well-placed video—intervened. While scrolling through Instagram, Uzondu paused to watch a video of Elmhurst University’s Bluejay mascot giving campus tours.
“I was like, ‘Oh, this looks nice, I should apply here,’” she said.
She sent her application in January but, amid the daily distractions of life, didn’t immediately check her email for a response.
Months later, while reading in a community college library, Uzondu checked her inbox. There it was: Elmhurst had been reaching out to her since a week after her application, inviting her to acquire timeless knowledge and the skills for enduring success.
“‘I’m so sorry; I didn’t know that you’ve chosen me,’” she remembered saying in response in March. “They were still for some reason holding space for me. Because I know they have limited space in the nursing program, I was so grateful.”
After that, things fell into place quickly, with the help of the Office of Admission and Laura Brennan, director of the nursing program. Classes had already resumed virtually, but Uzondu was told she could enroll and make up for lost time. She moved to campus later in March.
“The professors were so nice; they helped me catch up,” said Uzondu, emphasizing the accessible, wraparound support available at Elmhurst.
Building a Community
After the initial whirlwind of getting her studies up-to-date and settling in, Uzondu soon experienced what plagued many people at the time: loneliness. Taking classes virtually, coupled with living by herself, took a toll.
“I hated being alone by myself because I come from a family of six,” she said. “I was so lonely.”
Something had to change. Determined to find connection, Uzondu dove into campus life and took advantage of the caring, inclusive, hospitable Elmhurst community during the fall semester, when in-person learning resumed. She joined a variety of clubs to meet new people and forge friendships. She became a member of the Student Nursing Association, the secretary for the International Student Association, the vice president of the Elmhurst Cares Club and a member of the Black Student Union.
“Gradually, Elmhurst felt like home,” Uzondu said. She made new friends and met new people among the diverse student body—including some from Nigeria whom she had never met, even though they lived near one another back home. These newfound friendships became her extended family, offering support and camaraderie.
“I have friends here and people who I regard as my family I could talk to,” she said.
Following Her Nursing Calling
For Uzondu, nursing was a deeply personal choice, rooted in her experience accompanying her frequently ill younger brother on trips to the hospital. It was there that she observed the positive impact nurses could make. She decided she wanted to emulate that compassionate care.
“I could see how the nurses helped my mom,” Uzondu said. “You get to touch people’s lives directly and indirectly, too, like you could always advocate for the patient.”
At Elmhurst, the nursing program proved to be challenging yet supportive. Uzondu praised the small class sizes, which fostered a collaborative learning environment that sparked a thirst for learning without judgment. She had access to professors who offered open office hours. They went out of their way to ensure students understood complex concepts and built confidence to advance their future. The program also emphasized independent learning, with students receiving materials in advance and various resources like videos to accommodate different learning styles.
Throughout her time on campus, several faculty members left a lasting impression on Uzondu, including Assistant Professor Julie Glendenning, whose ethics course provided crucial insights into health policy and the human biases that can affect patient care.
“It was the best class to have because it dealt with policy and health in America,” she said. “We talked about the current-day situation and how it affects our health and plays back into how the nursing role is shaped to be what it is. She did a lot to help us put things into perspective and show how things in the textbook actually translate to real life.”
Then there’s Associate Professor Sarah Katula, who taught a mental health class. Uzondu said Katula created a safe, inclusive space for students to express their thoughts, making everyone feel understood. She also appreciated Brennan as a professor who offered unwavering support. “If you have any problem, just reach out to her,” Uzondu said. “Somehow she’s going to make it work.”
Charting a New Course
As Uzondu launches her nursing career, she’s building on the skills Elmhurst provided over her four years on campus. She is currently working in a nurse residency program, which is designed to transition new graduates into professional nursing practice through supervised clinical experience and mentorship.
Though she came to love the welcoming community and the spiritual boost Elmhurst provided at a crucial time in her life, Uzondu decided to look beyond Illinois to begin her nursing career.
She weighed offers from hospitals in Kansas City, Mo. and Aurora, Colo., which is near Denver, and ultimately chose the nurse residency program in Aurora. After completing orientation, she will be on the cardiac PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit).
Setting Up the Next Generation for Success
As she looks back on her journey, Uzondu feels it offers lessons for other students considering or just starting out at Elmhurst, especially international students. Two things are important, she said: getting involved and using the resources available to students.
“Reach out to people when they say reach out,” she said. “If a professor has an open door, make use of the office hours; always ask questions.”
Integrating into campus life starts on day one, Uzondu said, emphasizing that Elmhurst provides ample opportunities for students to join a community that appeals to them.
“If you’re going to come here as a new student, always go to the New Student Orientation,” she said. “Find your niche, find your bubble.”
Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step toward your future.