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On February 26, Mount Saint Mary’s University honored Lady Jones ’26 as its 2026 Unstoppable Scholar at the President’s Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon, recognizing a nursing student whose academic focus, leadership across campus and long-term goals have shaped her college experience from the start.

For Lady, the award felt unexpected and deeply reflective. “It makes me feel very proud about everything I have done at the Mount and how much I have grown here,” she said.

Lady came to the University knowing she wanted to work with women and children. Over time, that interest sharpened into a clear professional goal: to become a nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner.

Raised in Inglewood and grounded by a close, supportive family, Lady arrived at the Mount ready to work hard, care for others and build a future that makes a difference. A first-generation healthcare professional in her family, Lady is inspired by her mother’s resilience and entrepreneurial drive. That foundation shaped her “unstoppable” mindset. If she sets a goal, she commits fully. At Mount Saint Mary’s, she found the academic environment to match that determination.

Drawn initially to the University’s strong nursing program and small student-to-professor ratio, Lady quickly discovered how transformative that close mentorship would be. Nursing faculty taught her more than clinical skills, she says.

“My professors have shown me what it truly means to care for patients — not just during their hospital stay, but as whole persons with families and lives beyond those walls,” she said. “They have given me an entirely new level of respect for the profession.”

That perspective became especially meaningful during clinical rotations. While working in pediatrics, Lady found herself affected by the emotional weight of caring for sick children. Learning to balance empathy with professional boundaries was one of the most challenging lessons of the program.

“I had to learn not to take everything home with me,” she explained. “I care deeply, but I also had to grow as a professional and understand how to process those emotions in a healthy way.”

That growth was supported by campus resources, including Counseling and Psychological Services — a reminder, she says, that strength and seeking support go hand in hand.

Academically, Lady has pursued opportunities to deepen her expertise in maternal and infant health. She interned at a Black-owned birthing center in Los Angeles for almost two years, gaining firsthand experience in patient-centered and culturally responsive care. The experience reinforced her desire to work in maternal health.

She recently completed lactation education training and is now finishing the practicum hours required to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, an additional credential that will strengthen her ability to support mothers during postpartum.

After graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse in a labor and delivery unit before applying to the Master of Science in Nursing program at California State University, Fullerton. Long term, she hopes to earn a doctorate, teach and eventually open her own birthing center.

Her long-term goal is to become a nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner, bridging holistic midwifery with evidence-based Western medicine. After graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse in labor and delivery, then pursue her Master of Science in Nursing at California State University, Fullerton. Eventually, she hopes to earn a doctorate in nursing practice (DPN) to teach future nurses and influence maternal health policy.

“I want to help close the gaps in maternal care,” Lady said, noting the persistent disparities affecting Black mothers and infants. “There is room for both compassion and clinical excellence. I want to be part of that change.”

Her preparation for the next step is already underway. Right after graduation, Lady plans to take the NCLEX — a national standardized exam required for nursing licensure She feels confident in the rigorous preparation she has received at the Mount. “The program has prepared us very well,” she said. “I am ready and not worried about the NCLEX.”

Outside the classroom, Lady has taken on leadership roles, serving as a community advisor in residence life and as former vice president of the student organization Black Student Union. She says that these experiences have strengthened her time management and communication skills.

Lady has received multiple scholarships during her time at the Mount, including the expendable Paula Bazar-Sandling Scholarship. That support has eased financial pressure and helped her stay focused on her nursing studies, campus involvement, and the opportunities she has worked hard to pursue.

“When donors give, they are giving students the chance to stay focused on becoming who they are meant to be,” she said. “It allows us to keep pushing forward.”

For Lady, being “unstoppable” is all about resolve and determination. “If I set a goal, I will put in the work and keep going, even when it feels far away,” she said. “If I don’t give up and I keep going, I know I will get there.”