GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Morgan Nevola
[Garden City, KS] October 1, 2025 – For Hoxie native Morgan Nevola, the path to success didn’t begin the way she expected. After a difficult freshman year at another college, she was ready to quit rodeo and pursue school online. Everything changed, however, when she discovered Garden City Community College.
“I was going to step away from college rodeo and attend school online when I was recruited by Jim Boy Hash for the rodeo team,” Morgan recalled. “I knew several athletes from high school who attended GCCC and loved it. After my first day with Jim Boy at the site visit, I knew that Garden City would be my home. I loved the staff, community, amenities, and only being two short hours from home was important to me.”
That decision set Morgan on a journey that would shape not only her career but also her approach to life. While at GCCC, she discovered the value of perseverance and the importance of hard work paying off. “The most important thing I learned at GCCC was perseverance, and that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. This has applied both in my academic, professional, and athletic careers,” she said.
She credits GCCC’s supportive environment for giving her the confidence to pursue her goals. “Going to GCCC, I was blessed with so much support and opportunities. Every instructor, coach, tutor, and advisor genuinely cared about my success. Following completion of my degrees, I was welcomed and well-supported within our communities. Fun fact: Larry Jenkins (now a nursing instructor at GCCC) hired me for my first job as an RN in the ICU, where I worked for six years prior to obtaining my NP (nurse practitioner).”
After completing her LPN and RN degree at GCCC in 2016, Morgan went on to continue her education at Fort Hays State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Today, she serves as a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner at Plaza Medical Center in Garden City.
Family Nurse Practitioners play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. They manage a wide range of health concerns while promoting overall well-being through preventive care and education. “I believe medical treatment is not one-size-fits-all. I strive to connect with and empower patients to be actively involved in their care, which allows me to create personalized treatment plans so that together, we can advocate for patients’ health.”
Morgan takes pride in serving in Garden City, a community that has shaped her journey in meaningful ways. “I am genuinely so thankful for the opportunities that I have received from not only GCCC but the community as a whole, and I am honored to continue to try and give back to the community that has given me so much,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to future students, Morgan didn’t hesitate. “Do not discount your local community college! I was able to graduate as an RN nearly debt-free thanks to scholarship opportunities and athletics. I landed a great job in the ICU right after graduation, and I was accepted into every BSN and NP program I applied to with zero credit transfer issues.”
From the rodeo arena to the exam room, Morgan’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of hard work, support, and community.
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a part in Morgan’s path. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC President's Scholarship Initiative!
From HERE, you can go ANYWHERE.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.