A journey shaped by resilience, loss and determination has led Naomi Ellison to a defining milestone. The Kapiʻolani Community College associate degree in nursing graduate will cross the commencement stage in May 2026, marking not just an academic achievement, but a powerful personal transformation.
Overcoming early doubts and personal loss
Raised in Haʻikū, Maui, Ellison describes her early academic experience as uncertain. “I struggled in high school and didn¡¯t take full advantage of learning opportunities,” she said. Low placement scores initially discouraged her from pursuing nursing, a field often seen as highly competitive. “I was told those scores might define my path, and for a time, I believed it.”
A mentor¡¯s encouragement helped shift her outlook. With renewed determination, Ellison began rebuilding her academic foundation through courses at Windward and Kapiʻolani Community Colleges while working full time at Hawaiian Airlines. Her progress was tested in 2020 when she lost her father to pancreatic cancer, a moment she describes as both devastating and life-changing.
“It taught me how to keep my head above water and push through the pain, even when life feels uncertain,” Ellison said. She credits supportive faculty, including Kapiʻolani CC physiology Professor Rachel Lindsay, for helping her persist during that time.
Ellison earned her practical nursing certificate in 2022 and passed her licensure exam on the first attempt. While working in a post-acute rehabilitation facility, she continued her education, applying multiple times before being accepted into the licensed practical nurse to associate degree in nursing transition program in 2024.
“That acceptance represented years of persistence,” she said. “I refused to let rejection define me.”
Commitment to service and future goals
Beyond academics, Ellison has remained deeply committed to service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered with the Maui nonprofit Feed My Sheep, helping package food for families in need. At Kapiʻolani CC, she served as vice president and later president of the Student Nursing Association, leading community outreach efforts including health screenings, blood pressure drives, and partnerships with local organizations.
“Giving back is how I stay grounded,” she said.
Ellison is concurrently pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing through Boise State University and plans to graduate later this year. Her long-term goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse in Â鶹´«Ã½, with aspirations to advance as a nurse practitioner and participate in global humanitarian work.
Reflecting on her journey, Ellison offers a message that resonates beyond her own experience, “Where you start does not determine where you can go.”