Of Note
three women dressed in nurse scrubs laughing and talking to each other
Sam Taksar ’25 photo.
Top-Ranked Nursing Program Launches RN to BSN
Working nurses can now earn their bachelor’s with in-person and remote courses through a new RN to BSN track. Prospective students who already have an associate degree and are licensed as registered nurses in any state can transfer between 60 to 90 credits toward the 120 total credits required to graduate at PSU with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). 

PSU’s nursing program has been ranked the No. 1 nursing program in New Hampshire by RegisteredNursing.org based on the pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) over the past five years. It is also ranked top in the country, with a 100 percent pass rate in the 2022 to 2023 school year. PSU nursing students collectively earned a 100 percent pass rate in four out of the last five years. 

“This new program will fill an important gap in our educational offering and will meet a growing demand for nurses looking to take the next step in their careers,” says PSU Director of Nursing Donna Driscoll, DPN, RN, CEN. “We look forward to seeing how our fully integrated classrooms will benefit from the experience of working nurses, and we believe this program will serve to bolster the much-needed nursing workforce in New Hampshire and beyond.” 

This will be the first program of its kind at PSU, wherein traditional and non-traditional students will be seamlessly integrated, enabling young students to learn from fellow students who may already have a great deal of nursing experience. 

Additionally, PSU is unveiling a new pre-nursing track for first-year students who do not initially meet the criteria for the nursing program. This will enable students to take the prerequisite nursing courses while enrolled in the allied health sciences program during their first year with the goal of transferring into the nursing program the following year.

The program is expected to see continued growth. By fall 2025, a new and improved Panther Nursing Simulation Center will have opened, along with additional classrooms, effectively doubling the current center’s capacity.

CoLab’s “AI Challenge” Recognized
A close-up of a computer chip featuring the letters "AI" prominently displayed on its surface
Plymouth State’s Open Learning & Teaching Collaborative (CoLab), the University’s engine of learning innovation, has again been recognized for its innovative projects. The CoLab’s “AI Challenge” module of Design Forward has been selected as one of several exemplars in Educause’s 2024 Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. The recognition continues a string of praise for PSU’s pedagogical projects by the reports, which analyze top trends and predictions at the intersection of higher education and technology.

Educause is a nonprofit association whose mission is to lead the way, advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education. It notes that AI:

  • is changing the way we communicate;
  • tools have growing potential to reshape pedagogy and student experiences;
  • is increasingly having an impact on the economy and workforce;
  • is increasingly being used to address climate change and sustainability issues and
  • has growing potential for use in politics.

Design Forward is a holistic faculty development program developed by the CoLab. Educause previously highlighted a Design Forward module on teaching across modalities, and it singled out CoLab’s ACE Framework, a guide to decision-making and professional development that responded to the COVID crisis. ■ Peter Lee Miller

All are invited to take the AI Challenge on the CoLab’s website.

Ali Sekou ’17: Civic Leader Motivated to Give Back
Ali Sekou headshot
Robert Ortiz photo.
Ali Sekou ’17 was raised in a small village in Niger with ample natural resources that attracted tourists—the Niger River, sand dunes, caves. “I was seeing people from diverse backgrounds coming to enjoy the sunset on the sand dunes, or people going to cruise on the river or watching birds.”

In high school, Sekou helped create a tourism brochure. These experiences helped feed an interest in the economics of tourism and, on a broader scale, economic and community development. Now he’s the manager of community engagement and inclusion for the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority; a Concord, NH, city councilor; and mayor pro tem. He’s fully engaged in the work that has inspired him for decades.

Sekou, 41, is the youngest councilor to ever serve in Concord, and he’s the first African immigrant, Muslim representative, and Black constituent to hold the role; he was elected in November 2023 and joined the council in January.

He says, “My hope for people is for them to have an open mind and an open heart to see the reality of the needs facing our communities now and create a sense of inclusiveness so we can tap into everyone’s experience and expertise and knowledge to better our community together.”

Emigrating to the United States
Sekou worked full time and attended law school in Niger before emigrating to this country in 2012 and continued that ethic while in the United States.

He worked at Hannaford Supermarkets in operational leadership for eight years while also earning his PSU bachelor’s degree in tourism management, with a minor in political science. He also holds an associate degree in hospitality and tourism management at NHTI—Concord’s Community College, and a master’s in community development, policy, and practice from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire.

When first pursuing a four-year degree, Sekou was accepted at Plymouth State but couldn’t afford the tuition. PSU’s general education coordinator, John Krueckeberg, helped him navigate the application process and introduced him to Mark Okrant, now professor emeritus. Okrant helped Sekou understand he could attend a community college for two years and complete his degree at PSU.

“Dr. Okrant offered amazing courses in the tourism industry that fit what I needed to do in my life based on my interest in community and economic development,” Sekou adds. “I was interested in what we can do to sustain our communities and welcome people in the communities.”

Plymouth State was foundational
Sekou says he was motivated by his studies at Plymouth State, which provided the foundation for his current work.

He especially appreciated a course called “Political Thoughts,” which helped him think critically on societal issues, and a business course in which students collaborated with the Common Man restaurant group to research and develop ice cream flavors.

“My major learning at Plymouth State was the interactions I had with every student and faculty and staff member. I enjoyed my time in learning how to welcome and embrace people,” says Sekou. “All the resources that were available at the library and learning center were especially helpful since English was not my first language.”

Sekou has long since mastered English, which is one of five languages he speaks.

Sekou was a member of the National Political Science Honor Society Pi Sigma Alpha, graduated magna cum laude, and received the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in tourism management and policy upon graduation.

“They gave me a solid education and made me the leader I am today,” he says of PSU faculty.

A leader’s work
In addition to his work for the city of Concord, Sekou holds leadership roles with several community groups, most notably the Islamic Society of Concord, of which he serves as president. He is also a member of the NHTI Advisory Board, treasurer of the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS), and board member of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund.

At the housing authority, Sekou is engaged with underserved communities, sharing resources and nurturing a culture of belonging and acceptance. He was called to civic leadership through a desire to give back to a community that has “given me so much.” Also motivating was wanting his young children, Samirah and Ahmad Amir, to see that it’s possible for Muslims, immigrants, or Black people to become leaders.

“Our communities are becoming very diverse and having a seat at the table is important,” he says. ■ Janice Beetle

Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Worldview Diversity
two people talking at the interfaith dinner event
Sam Taksar ’25 photo.
For many, religion serves as a cornerstone to their identity. It is a pillar of hope, not only offering guidance but also a profound sense of belonging, community, and purpose. For others, religion holds a quieter presence, perhaps a nonexistent role, or worse, evokes painful trauma.

Regardless of one’s personal relationship to religion, interfaith dialogue is an essential skill to have in our increasingly diverse world. Instead of allowing religious differences to erect barriers between us, we should see them as bridges of collaboration, uniting us in moments of adversity and fostering understanding amidst our differences.

Following the first year of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Center operations, a team of faculty, staff, and administrators took part in a conference with Interfaith America, an organization dedicated to using religious diversity as a strength to achieve common good for the nation. Throughout a week of immersive workshops, thought-provoking discussions with experts, and collaborations with institutions spanning North America, our team underwent a transformative experience. We left the conference armed with newfound knowledge and inspiration, returning with a steadfast commitment to championing interfaith dialogue and bridging divisions for our community.

Our first plan of action was centered on supporting our faculty and staff. Recognizing the pivotal roles they play in shaping our students’ experiences and fostering an inclusive environment, we prioritized equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to engage in meaningful conversations—both with students and among themselves.

With this in mind, our second year of the Brave Space professional development opportunity focused on interfaith dialogue and worldview diversity. We aspired to transcend religious and cultural divides, nurturing a campus environment characterized by empathy, respect, and profound interconnectedness.

We organized an interfaith dinner to foster connection and understanding among individuals from diverse religious, secular, and worldview backgrounds. Attendees broke bread with speakers and alumni representing a range of religious traditions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Paganism. Each recounted their personal religious/spiritual paths, explaining the basics of each and dispelling any common misconceptions. Those who treasure their faiths shared their favorite parts and found many commonalities with the other speakers. A vibrant exchange ensued, yielding clarifications and deeper insights.

We extended a warm welcome to Interfaith America Program Manager Joey Haynes in mid-April. His two-day visit was filled with engaging programming and Joey seamlessly integrated into PSU. He encouraged interfaith conversation at our weekly DiversiTea program and, in collaboration with PSU’s CoLab, he highlighted effective strategies for faculty to cultivate a more inclusive classroom learning environment for interfaith dialogue.

Joey joined our second interfaith dinner, which invited the PSU community to share their stories and experiences. He also held several meetings with administrators and committees, having conversations about the need for institutional support on interfaith initiatives, and visited classrooms and academic offices, offering custom consultations.

By fostering meaningful conversations, hosting inclusive events, and equipping our community with the tools and resources for worldview diversity, we are cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives are not only tolerated, but embraced and celebrated. Our commitment to a culture of respect, empathy, and mutual appreciation lays the foundation for a more harmonious and inclusive future for our students.

In a country built on the idea of diverse beliefs and perspectives, interfaith dialogue emerges as an essential tool for fostering understanding, respect, and belonging. Though the center’s work is just starting it builds on those of previous generations and we are excited to see where it brings the Plymouth community. ■ Paige Paradise ’22, ’23MBA, Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access