HPD Perspectives Magazine Summer/Fall 2019

14 | DR. PALLAVI PATEL COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES “I really love the university environment and the organizational leadership and student development aspects of the profession.” —Terry Morrow Nelson made the difficult decision to conclude her competitive swimming career in her junior year. “I was no longer able to compete at the level I wanted due to the injury, so I knew my swimming career was finished,” said Morrow Nelson, who relied on her faith and her serene mindset to look to the future with positivity. “Leaving the sport was very hard. I had been swimming competitively since I was eight years old, but it was a wonderful opportunity for me to get more involved in the university.” INJURY HEALED THROUGH INVOLVEMENT Because she served as a resident assistant, was involved in student government, and participated as a student ambassador and orientation leader, Morrow Nelson easily transitioned into the next phase of her life. “I was involved in several committees within the university and worked with faculty members on white papers addressing university issues. It is through these experiences that I gained access to the world of higher education administration,” she explained. “I really love the university environment and the organizational leadership and student development aspects of the profession,” she remarked. “During this time, I also received academic scholarships and compensation for my student leadership roles that exceeded my tuition, housing, and food needs, so I graduated without any student loans.” Before graduating from UNLV, Morrow Nelson studied abroad for a year at Reading University in England. “While I was there, I traveled to 12 different countries and made friends from all over the world,” she said. “This experience opened my eyes to the amazing world of travel and the joy of learning about different cultures, interacting with people who have different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs than me, and exploring new terrain. Since then, I have traveled to 21 countries and 28 states.” After graduating summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in management and public relations in December 1997, Morrow Nelson accepted a position as residence hall director and coordinator of cocurricular programs at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. However, she would soon head south and discover a job opportunity that continues to reap dividends today. PASSION AND VALUES ALIGN While she was visiting one of her sisters, who was pursuing her mental health counseling degree in South Florida at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, Morrow Nelson felt a kinship with the university and applied for a position. In 2001, she began her NSU career as the university’s assistant director of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development. It proved to be a challenging and rewarding posi- tion that allowed Morrow Nelson to launch various Heidi Jameson, B.S., coordinator of student affairs, left, discusses an important issue with Terry Morrow Nelson. PLANNING TO MORROW continued from page 12