A fourth-semester nursing student at Meridian Community College, Kendaisha Price, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Mississippi Nurses Foundation. The announcement came as a surprise to Price, who reacted with joy when Dr. Holly Crain, an Associate Degree Nursing Program Instructor, delivered the news shortly after she completed an exam.
“Look at God, you’re kidding me,” Price exclaimed upon learning of her selection. The scholarship is designated for students enrolled in associate or baccalaureate nursing programs across Mississippi, including MCC’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Price expressed her gratitude, stating, “Oh, my God. That’s right on time. God, you’re so good to me.”
In discussing Price’s achievement, Dr. Crain highlighted her perseverance and hard work. “You deserve it. You work so hard, and you’ve overcome so many things,” Crain said. “You didn’t give up, and you came back, and look at this. The faculty chose you, and we’re so proud.”
Candidates for the scholarship are selected based on criteria such as professional character, leadership, scholarship, and service. For Price, nursing has been a lifelong aspiration, inspired by her stepmother during her ninth-grade year. A pivotal message from a teacher about the importance of grades transformed her academic journey and helped her secure scholarships after high school.
Price initially attended Dillard University in New Orleans before returning home to enroll at MCC. She completed nearly three semesters of nursing courses before facing personal challenges that temporarily halted her education. “That was hard,” she reflected. “I was right there. But God had to realign some things.”
After a period of working, starting a family, and navigating life’s changes, Price felt compelled to complete her nursing education. Following the birth of her child in 2023, she returned to MCC just days after giving birth, finding solace in the familiar faces of faculty who had previously taught her. “It felt like coming home,” she said, recalling how the lessons from her earlier years came flooding back.
Price is set to graduate in December 2025 and aspires to specialize in psychiatric nursing, a field she feels passionately drawn to. “It’s where I think I can do the most good,” she stated, adding, “But I love all of nursing. I just love being with patients.”
Receiving the scholarship is a significant milestone for Price, who intends to frame it as a reminder of her journey. “I’m blessed. I’m thankful. I can’t wait to frame it,” she said. “This program means so much to me. I’m not just a number here; they know my name, they support me, and they care.”
Price hopes that future nursing students recognize MCC as a nurturing environment that fosters preparation, encouragement, and belief in their potential. “Who wouldn’t want to find their wings at MCC?” she concluded. “I’m finding mine every day.”
For further information about the nursing program at Meridian Community College, visit meridiancc.edu/nursing.