Itzel Guzman (’25) has wanted to be a nurse for as long as she can remember. Achieving that career goal is now possible for the Boise State University nursing student because of scholarship support from the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation.

“I knew I wanted to go into nursing my entire life. I mean, as a kid growing up in Minidoka County, you think, ‘Oh, what am I going to be when I grow up?’ and I knew I wanted to help people. I’m a lover. I love taking care of people,” said Guzman.

She enrolled in nursing school and today is thriving as a second-year student with the moral support of her family, which instilled in her a sense that with an education, anything was possible.

“My dad said I could do anything I wanted, and he was always going to support me and be there for me,” Guzman said. “He just wanted me to be successful in life. He came here from Mexico and was like, ‘You can do anything you want,’ and so he’s always been my supporter in anything I do. When I told him I wanted to go into nursing, he was like, ‘you can do it.’”

Guzman started her college career elsewhere but said Boise State is what she was looking for in a college experience.

“Other nursing major students, my friends, are amazing,” she said. “I see them every single day. We spend eight hours together in simulation, in clinical, and they’re the best, so now my college experience is everything and more than I needed and wanted.”

Today, Guzman can focus on her academics and lab work due to a scholarship she says is vital to her education.

“College is very expensive and, when it comes to paying for it, it can be very stressful, so I knew I needed help,” she said. “I applied for the scholarship, and it has helped me tremendously. I don’t have to worry about how to pay for college. I can go to school every day, and the scholarship helps me to be in class, stay focused, and it allows me to study stress-free about money.”

Scholarships are catalysts, empowering students to overcome obstacles, achieve their full potential, and contribute to our thriving learning community.  We aim to ensure that a quality education remains within reach for all students, regardless of their circumstances. We’re committed to breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation of Broncos as they shape the future of Idaho. To learn more, click here.