Georgia Southern nursing student awarded national Phi Eta Sigma scholarship
Haley Raymond, a nursing student at Georgia Southern University, was awarded a national scholarship from Phi Eta Sigma (PES) National Honor Society, recognizing her academic excellence, leadership and community service.
“Receiving this $5,000 scholarship removes the financial pressure of college,” Raymond said. “It allows me to continue to focus on my academics as well as my dream of becoming a pediatric travel nurse practitioner.”
A member of Georgia Southern’s PES chapter, Raymond recently served as a community service coordinator and was selected to represent the University as the chapter’s delegate at the 2025 national convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
As a community service officer, she helped organize initiatives such as a bake sale for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a stuffed animal and book drive for the Mary Jo Deyer Philanthropy, tutoring partnerships, and crafting and supplying bookmarks for a local library.
“Being able to contribute to the community means a lot to me,” Raymond said. “It was an honor serving as a PES community service officer alongside my good friend Jacie McKinnon during the 2024–25 academic year.”
Raymond was also named to the society’s 2025 Member of Distinction Program, a recognition that reflects her personal growth across three of PES’s pillars: mind, health and character. Her participation included completing financial literacy training, maintaining a consistent fitness regimen and logging more than 10 hours of community service.
“PES has helped me grow immensely in many aspects,” Raymond said. “It’s been a positive force in both my academic and personal development.”
Raymond credits much of her success to the mentors and faculty who have supported her throughout nursing school. She expressed special thanks to Rhyne Collins, MSN-Ed, RN, Casey Hughes, RN, and Chris Caplinger, Ph.D., all of whom she said have been instrumental in her growth as a student, leader and future nurse.
“Without support from faculty, friends and family, I would not be where I am today,” Raymond said.
Looking ahead, Raymond plans to graduate in May 2026 and begin work as a pediatric registered nurse while pursuing her master’s degree. She hopes to one day work in a pediatric intensive care unit.