East Tennessee State University's College of Nursing celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the Jessica Colter Academic Student Success Center on Sept. 22, honoring the legacy of a former nursing student while expanding support for the next generation of nurses.
Named in memory of Jessica Colter, an ETSU nursing student remembered for her kindness, compassion and dedication to helping others, the center serves as a hub for academic support, mentoring and student success initiatives within the College of Nursing.
The naming was made possible through a $250,000 pledge from the Jessica Colter Memorial Scholarship Foundation, representing the foundation's second significant investment in ETSU nursing students. In addition to the center, the foundation previously established an endowed scholarship supporting undergraduate students in the College of Nursing.
University leaders, students, faculty, foundation representatives and members of Colter's family gathered in Nicks Hall for the ceremony.
“These gifts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and are ensuring that Jessica's legacy of compassion, service and care for others will continue to inspire future nurses for years to come,” said ETSU Dr. Brian Noland.
Established in 2025 under the leadership of Dr. Dena Evans, dean of the ETSU College of Nursing and faculty, the Jessica Colter Academic Student Success Center provides nursing students with targeted academic and personal support through student success educators, peer mentoring, tutoring and supplemental instruction.
“The goal is simple: every student in the College of Nursing should know that we don't just care about their education, we care about them,” said Dr. Kacie Hauldren, executive director of academic success. “We want to help them reach their goals and be a part of their future.”
Since opening, the center has served more than 200 individual students and achieved strong outcomes for those seeking support. Progression rates exceeded 82% among several at-risk student groups, while 77% of seniors improved their performance after working with a Success Educator to prepare for the NCLEX predictor examination.
During the ceremony, nursing student and supplemental instruction leader Olufemi Oladeinde reflected on the center's impact on students navigating the challenges of nursing school.
“It's a message to every student who walks in here doubting themselves that this program is not going to let them do it alone,” Oladeinde said.
Jennifer Gass, president of the Jessica Colter Scholarship Foundation, created in memory of her daughter, said the naming ensures Jessica's legacy will continue supporting future generations of nurses.
“Her name now has a permanent home at ETSU, a university that was such an important part of her life and dreams,” Gass said. “And more importantly, this isn't simply a room with Jessica's name on it. It's a place with a purpose. Students will walk through these doors when they're excited about their futures. They'll come here when they're exhausted, overwhelmed or questioning whether they can keep going.”
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting and reception, marking a new chapter for the center and the students it serves. Through the work of the Jessica Colter Academic Student Success Center, Jessica's legacy will continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of future nurses.
