Meet Lorraine Williams: Empire State University’s 100,000th alum
(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 25, 2024) Lorraine Williams is Empire State University’s 100,000th alum. Williams, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing, exemplifies the university’s mission to create opportunities for adult learners seeking to continue their education and pursue their goals.
Williams said she spent decades trying to earn her college degree. While searching for an institution that would provide her with the flexibility and affordability needed to earn one while working full-time, she came across SUNY Empire. At that time, SUNY Empire did not yet have a nursing degree program, so she earned her associate degree in nursing from Suffolk County Community College and began her career in health care. When she was ready to earn her bachelor’s degree, she turned to SUNY Empire.
She said her academic journey sometimes felt like a full-time job. She would work her shifts and then tackle her school assignments in the middle of the night, determined to succeed in her career and her coursework.
“I had to stay up late—until six o’clock in the morning sometimes—to finish my assignments,” Williams said. “If I knew an assignment was going to take a long time, I would look at it like it was part of my work schedule.”
Williams is a psychiatric registered nurse in Rochester, administering care on a 30-bed forensics unit at an inpatient facility. Her passion for health care was born out of a desire to help others and make a positive impact on those around her.
“I’ve had some setbacks in my life, and I believe the best therapy is to help those in need,” Williams said. “I can relate to some patients when I’m helping them. I have empathy, so that’s what drives me.”
Outside of her studies and career, Williams finds joy in nature, reading, and spending time with her two birds: Little Falcon and Little Eagle.
Despite the challenges and late nights, Williams said she is proud of her ability to achieve her goals. She credits her faith for her success and perseverance and said she hopes to become a nurse practitioner someday.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Williams said about earning her bachelor’s degree. “I can’t believe that I’m at this point, and I never thought I would get this far. I’ve been through struggles that almost caused me to give up, but I was recently accepted to SUNY Empire’s master’s degree program in nursing. My dream of being a nurse practitioner will come true someday.”
Williams said earning her MSN degree is a challenge she is ready to face.
“I want to continue with SUNY Empire’s nursing program because the instructors were so helpful. If I needed help, my mentor was always there for me,” Williams said. “I always wanted to go to Empire State University because of the understanding that students have lives outside of college, and that is also the reason I want to continue here.”
Williams said if she can achieve her goals, others can too.
“Anyone can accomplish their goals, no matter how difficult life may seem,” Williams said. “Don’t give up. I’ve been through so much I could write a book about it, but I don’t let it deter me from achieving anything.”