2023 Alumni Achievement Award winner Amanda Marie Crenshaw Titone is a two-time South University graduate motivated by her desire to support and care for others. “I wanted to help people,” she says. “That was always my main goal, to help as many people as possible.”
Amanda entered the healthcare field in 2009 as a pharmacy technician, and, in 2010, she became a public health specialist in the US Air Force, working at Shaw Air Force Base. After years of working in public health and as a pharmacy technician, Amanda decided it was time to pursue a bachelor’s degree. After looking online for schools that took veterans’ benefits, Amanda found South University, Columbia.
“I ultimately chose South because they could work best around my busy schedule,” explains Amanda, who worked full-time as a pharmacy technician while attending South University, Columbia. “I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health [in 2018] from that location but knew that, eventually, I would return for my nursing degree.”
After graduating, Amanda stayed in touch with some of the faculty and staff at South University, and they continued encouraging her to pursue her goals and aspirations. Three years later, now living in Virginia, Amanda did return to seek her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, this time attending South University, Richmond.
“The faculty and staff are amazing, helpful, and want to see you succeed,” says Amanda. “Everyone I have ever encountered at both campuses I attended has always been willing to assist in any way possible.”
During her BSN program, Amanda worked part-time as a pharmacy technician. She also worked as a tutor at South University and was highly involved in the nursing organization on campus. While Amanda encountered some personal struggles during her time as a student, she pushed through and graduated with her BSN degree in December 2022.
“I leaned on my family and my cohort members for support to get me through. I made it out the other end, and it is so worth it,” she says. “If you are struggling, lean on your cohort members, but also don't be afraid to talk to the faculty and let them know. They are there to help."
In January 2023, Amanda earned her registered nurse (RN) license, adding to the three certifications she already held in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS), Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPht). Today, Amanda works as a RN in an intermediate care unit as part of the UVA Health system and is thankful for all the ways in which South University prepared her for her healthcare career.*
“The curriculums for the public health and nursing programs are held to a high standard,” she says. “While they may be accelerated, you get what you need from them, so long as you put in the work.”
Congratulations to Amanda for receiving South University, Richmond’s 2023 Alumni Achievement Award!
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* Nurses must pass the NCLEX exam in order to work. Each student is responsible for reviewing all national requirements as well as any state requirements where the student is located for the most accurate information to work as nurses. South University does not guarantee licensure or employment.
Testimonials have been provided by students/alumni in their own words and without coercion.
