"ETBU sets very high standards. How you perform academically is vital to your success at ETBU. Spiritually, ETBU prepared me to care for the world. Having the opportunity to embrace the Lord during my undergraduate degree kept me grounded, motivated, and close to the Almighty Father."
Dr. Oteka Jackson-Cenales never thought she would earn another degree after obtaining her BSN from ETBU, but her love for knowledge and the desire to provide an example for her children kept propelling her forward.
"When I graduated from ETBU, my only intentions were to work and flourish in my field, but the more I worked, the more I wanted to learn as much as I could," Dr. Jackson-Cenales said."I never imagined that after earning my bachelor's degree, I would attend Loyola University New Orleans for my Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), and then go on to earn my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree."
Today, Dr. Jackson-Cenales serves as a full-time nursing faculty member at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas where she supervises and advises clinical students, conducts clinical research, and evaluates student performance. She also remains PRN at Baylor Scott & White Health All Saints Medical Center.
According to Dr. Jackson-Cenales, ETBU prepared her spiritually and academically for the calling God placed on her life.
"ETBU sets very high standards," Dr. Jackson-Cenales said. "How you perform academically is vital to your success at ETBU. Because of this, I was able to push forward with my MSN and DNP degree and be successful at the graduate level. Spiritually, ETBU prepared me to care for the world. Having the opportunity to embrace the Lord during my undergraduate degree kept me grounded, motivated, and close to the Almighty Father."
As an alumna, Dr. Jackson-Cenales is proud to be a graduate of the ETBU School of Nursing.
"I enjoyed so much about ETBU," Dr. Jackson-Cenales said. "The campus and buildings are absolutely stunning, but I loved the unity, uniqueness, family-oriented, and Christ-centered environment the most. It also brings me great pride to see ETBU's School of Nursing be ranked so highly in the state. It would make any alum proud!"