Elizabeth Wiggins' Success Story

When asked how UMO is different, Elizabeth Wiggins emphatically stated that UMO removes the barriers for success, giving students the time to focus on the important stuff.  To many, this may seem insignificant, but for Elizabeth, the mom of three young children, a wife, and employee, this means the world.

It doesn’t take long to realize that Elizabeth trusts in a higher power to lead her down life’s pathway.  She seeks God’s guidance with each decision, and trusts that He is opening opportunities because she “Seeks ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).

Elizabeth attended three community colleges previously.  She earned her associate’s degree as well as a CNA license, but knew she was being called for more.

After having her third child, Elizabeth’s supportive husband encouraged her to chase her dreams beyond the 50-hour work week she faced that was pulling her away from family-time.  During this journey, she began taking the pre-requisite courses for nursing.

One night, when she felt like she was at the end of her rope yet still trusting God had a plan for her, Elizabeth had a dream where she saw herself in her cap and gown, surrounded by her family.  She immediately sat up in bed and began to search colleges on her laptop.  An online ad popped up for the University of Mount Olive.  Thought she wasn’t familiar with the University, she began to feel a sense of belonging, especially when she saw an adult graduate in the same color cap and gown from her dream – UMO green!

The next day, Elizabeth drove to Mount Olive from Raleigh, hoping someone would be on campus for her to speak with.  She had never felt the kind of support she felt after that fruitful day at UMO and left campus feeling inspired to take that next step to applying.

Fast forward to now, and Elizabeth successfully completed the pre-nursing program at UMO and was recently accepted into the Prelicensure BSN program.  Her dream of earning a bachelor degree is being realized, and she thanks her “destiny helpers” Laura and Stacy, Adult and Graduate Program advisors.

Romans 8:28 states that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”  Elizabeth walks in that truth daily, constantly pressing toward her dream career as a nurse in labor and delivery.  And one day soon, she will walk across the stage at graduation in that same UMO green cap and gown she once dreamed about!