Alumni Profile: Queyka SaintLouis
At 12 years old, Queyka SaintLouis emigrated from Haiti to the Boston area. There were many obstacles to overcome: learning English as a second language, adjusting to a new culture, leaving friends and family behind. But Queyka’s drive and determination set her on an incredible path to the field of nursing.
Queyka grew into an outstanding high school student engaged in several extracurricular activities, but because her mother had never gone through the college admissions process Queyka knew she needed a knowledgeable advisor. A critical moment came when she joined Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters (JBBBS) as a “little sister” to gain support and mentoring, and through this relationship she and her family learned about Campus Bound. Queyka was matched with Campus Bound College Counselor Erika Murphy.
Observes Queyka, “When I was in high school I relied a lot on adult validation. I didn’t yet trust myself and my intuition. Working with Erika changed my life! She told me I was a pretty amazing candidate, which opened my eyes to all sorts of college possibilities. She asked, if I didn’t have any limiting factors—no transportation issues, no financial constraints—what schools would I choose?” Queyka wanted to study nursing and Erika encouraged her to think big.
Together they set a timeline, established deadlines, and applied for scholarships and financial aid. “While writing my essays Erika would keep asking, what do you want to say, what can you add? She wanted me to put myself and my voice in the applications. She built up my confidence and ability to be independent.” Queyka notes that Campus Bound’s online portal, Custom College Plan (CCP), was an essential tool because it centralized every aspect of the admissions process, from Erika’s notes and college research to essays and deadlines. “CCP was important, otherwise I would’ve been totally lost.”
Prioritizing financial aid and proximity to home, Queyka applied to six schools including Salve Regina and Emmanuel College, both of which she was admitted to and strongly considered. But she fell in love with UMass Dartmouth. Throughout her college years, Campus Bound continued to serve as a resource by offering Zoom workshops on topics like financial literacy and how to renew financial aid and scholarships. She graduated in May 2024.
“UMass Dartmouth was a 10 out of 10 experience!” declares Queyka. “One of my favorite things was being part of their Honors College which gave me access to special classes and research. I knew I wanted to go to grad school, and being able to conduct research early on as an undergrad was amazing. My research project involved investigating nursing faculty of color and determining whether they faced discrimination or had support systems. It took two academic years but was worth it!”
Queyka also benefited from a course focused on the job search—Professional Standards for Nursing—which assisted with preparation for the NCLEX, the national nursing test, and resumé development. She points out that the career center at UMass Dartmouth was very helpful as well, providing mock interviews and other professional resources. When it came to employment criteria, Queyka sought a hospital or facility with a strong onboarding program for newly graduated nurses, close to her home in Randolph. Milton Hospital and South Shore Hospital fit the bill. In October 2024, she accepted a position at Milton Hospital as an RN on a medical/surgery floor.
Queyka will have two years of work experience under her belt before applying for a full-time, two-year, Master of Science in Nursing program, ideally starting fall 2026 at UMass Dartmouth or Toronto Metropolitan University.
Does she have any advice for new college students? Absolutely. “Something I learned the hard way was, you can’t pour from an empty cup. My freshman year I said yes to everything but also wanted to do well in my courses. By the end of month one I was exhausted. I wasn’t eating well or sleeping well. I eventually realized that not everything had to happen in the first few months—I could have fun and meet new friends and get involved in activities over time.” She adds, “Eat vegetables and get at least six hours of sleep!”
And Queyka has suggestions for students interested in nursing: “Make sure that whatever school you choose has at least one or two simulation labs. If the labs are old, forget it. Look for faculty that are doing research or still practicing bedside nursing. Some of my favorite lectures have been when the professor brings in what they know from the real world. The information stays in your head better and makes the learning more real.”
Excited for what’s to come, Queyka feels deeply grateful to Erika Murphy and the Campus Bound team for launching her into higher education.
