Preferred Name: Nes Chavez

Pronouns: he/him

Program/Major: graduate from the College of Nursing (alum, BS ‘21) and Ethnic Studies (alum, BS ‘24).

Current Career: nurse, University of Utah Medical Intensive Care Unit

“As a first-generation American, my journey has been shaped by unique experiences that instilled in me a passion for personal growth and advocacy. Pursuing a degree within the ethnic studies program aligned perfectly with my goals of becoming a nurse while also developing a deeper understanding of social and emotional intelligence. I’ve always aspired to be a compassionate caregiver, but I also sought to engage in meaningful conversations about U.S. history, politics, and our collective future. This program allowed me to bridge my professional aspirations with my commitment to being a nurse aware of socioeconomic differences, personal biases, and inequalities that exist throughout our nation.

“I am currently a nurse at the University of Utah Hospital, working in the Medical Intensive Care Unit alongside some of the most compassionate, intelligent, and dedicated healthcare professionals I’ve ever met. The ethnic studies program has been instrumental in shaping my perspective in that work. It has helped me recognize my own biases, address social and healthcare inequities, and understand the critical difference between cultural competence and cultural humility. These insights have made me a better advocate for the diverse patient population we serve, enabling me to provide equitable and patient specific care.”