Alumni Stories

Norfolk State alumni are passionate and driven leaders, prompting worldwide change in industries such as business, public policy, healthcare and the arts. The stories below show the impact of an education at NSU. Read about Spartans making their mark within their communities and abroad.

Kimya Jones ‘99

 

NSU Alumna Works to Develop Covid-19 Test

Heroes don’t always wear capes, but sometimes they wear a lab coat and have an affinity for Green and Gold!

Kimya Jones ’99, a research associate and laboratory manager, is one of them. She is conducting life-saving work through medical testing and validation.

In the early days of the coronavirus in the U.S., a team at the Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Laboratory in Georgia, where Jones is laboratory manager, was diligently working on one of the most important pieces of the novel coronavirus puzzle — the test. Read More>>

 

 

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Cle and Dameron Jones ‘91

 

Dozoretz Leaves Legacy of Success

Dameron L. Jones ’91 was valedictorian of her graduating high school class. Yet, despite her outstanding academic honors, she could not afford to attend college. Instead, she planned to join the Air Force, serve her country and earn her degree while in service.

But fate stepped in. A high school friend had interviewed for an academic scholarship program at Norfolk State University and recommended her as well. Jones took the interview, was accepted into the program with a full four-year scholarship. Read More>>

 

 

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Ari Cuffee ’03, ‘10

 

On the Front Lines of Covid-19

Cuffee sees nursing as a calling. As a young girl, she listened intently to the stories that her grandmother and aunt told about their experiences. “I admired them as heroes that made a difference,” she said. Cuffee remembers them telling of how they aided in their patients’  healing process, advocating for their patients, preventing medical errors, and even questioning doctor’s orders all in the quest to deliver the very best care they could. Read More>>

 

 

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Lajuana M. Collins, M.D. (B.S. ’83)

 

Alumna Addresses Mental Health Needs During Covid-19

Dr. Collins works in the field of psychiatry in two different settings: at a psychiatric hospital and correctional facilities. In the hospital, patients are dealing with mental health and physical issues. “We have to make decisions on how to address mental health needs while placing patients on the proper precautions (e.g. respiratory, contact) in order to adequately treat them and insure the safety of others,” she said. “All staff must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and have temperatures recorded prior to each shift.” Read More>>

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