Each year, IU Indianapolis honors 100 outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in three categories—academic excellence, campus leadership, and community engagement. These Top 100 Jags represent everything that makes IU Indianapolis exceptional.
Dana Wilson, a Traditional BSN student at the IU School of Nursing, has been chosen as one of IU Indianapolis' Top 100 students for 2025. Below, learn more about Dana’s journey at the IU School of Nursing at Indianapolis and the organizations and groups she's chosen to volunteer with during her time at IU Indianapolis.
What has been your favorite or most memorable class or educational opportunity while studying at the IU School of Nursing? Why?
My favorite class would either be OB/Labor and Delivery lecture or Pharmacology/Physiology. I enjoyed OB because I learned how in-depth and critical the process of birth is, and it was a very informative class! I simply loved pharmacology because of Bryan (White)!
What activities or organizations are you involved in, and why did you choose these groups?
I am the social media representee of the Student Nurses’ Association here at IU Indianapolis. I chose to be a part of SNA because my mentor my first semester was always so sweet, and she made me interested in the group. I kept going and took a shot at an open position. I am also a Norman Brown Scholar, and I chose to apply for this program because I loved the advocacy for students of all races and backgrounds. I am also involved outside of campus in many ways as well!
Why was it important to you to take on extra activities and leadership roles while studying at IU Indianapolis and the IU School of Nursing?
It's very important for me to be involved on the IU Indianapolis campus because I have always felt that students should be more than a number at their university. I believe that when you get connected, it opens doors and opportunities you never knew existed. Especially at the IU School of Nursing, I have connected with so many faculty and professors, and it has been and amazing journey because of them!
Who has inspired you during your nursing school journey?
Jesus has been my biggest reason for never giving up in nursing school and the biggest part of my continuation in this program. I know that this is right where he wants me! My mom is my next biggest inspiration from her always pouring kind words into me and pushing me when I feel like nursing school may be getting the best of me.
What are your plans after completing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
I plan to apply to residency programs in hospitals that cater towards pediatric critical care nursing. I also aspire to do travel nursing and return to school to obtain my master's in nurse practitioner pediatric critical care or midwifery.
What does the recognition of being a Top 100 student mean to you?
It means a lot to me honestly, and it's truly a blessing to be recognized as a transfer student from Indiana University Bloomington. I was overly involved in Bloomington and always felt like I never finished my work there. Then, to receive this award showed me that I just needed to wait until God wanted to show me how proud he was!
