LCU’s First Doctoral Graduates
When the first Doctor of Nursing Practice students gathered for class at Lubbock Christian University, they stepped into a space that had never existed before. They were not only beginning advanced doctoral study, but they were also forming the university’s first doctoral cohort and helping define what doctoral education at LCU would become.
The inaugural DNP cohort completed their degree requirements in August 2025, concluding a demanding academic journey shaped by clinical excellence, leadership development, and faith-based formation. In December, they returned to campus to participate in Fall Commencement, marking their official hooding and celebrating a milestone that reaches far beyond individual accomplishment.
“This graduating class represents more than individual achievement. They represent a defining moment in the history of Lubbock Christian University,” said Dr. LaNell Harrison, Executive Director of the School of Nursing. “Launching our first doctoral program and graduating our first doctoral students reflects LCU’s mission to prepare servant leaders who are equipped to transform healthcare and serve their communities with excellence and integrity.”
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal practice degree that represents the highest level of preparation in advanced nursing. The program equips graduates to serve as clinical experts, organizational leaders, and change agents in an increasingly complex healthcare system. As LCU’s first doctoral program, the DNP signals the university’s continued growth in graduate and professional education and its commitment to meeting the need for highly educated nurse leaders across the region and beyond.
For the graduates themselves, the experience carried a unique sense of responsibility and purpose.
“As a member of the first DNP cohort at Lubbock Christian University, I’ve had the unique opportunity to help shape and experience a pioneering program rooted in excellence and faith-based leadership,” said Dr. Amy Rivas. “This journey has strengthened my clinical expertise, expanded my perspective, and deepened my commitment to advancing patient care.”
Learning alongside peers from diverse practice settings also shaped the cohort’s experience. Dr. Toni Gafford, whose background is primarily in the ICU, shared that hearing classmates’ perspectives broadened her understanding of healthcare delivery across different environments and specialties.
Relationships and community became central to the doctoral journey. For Dr. Kelly Marquez, who earned her BSN, MSN, and DNP from LCU, the experience was marked by lasting memories and friendships formed through years of shared learning. Dr. Kelsey McMurry echoed that sentiment, describing the inaugural cohort as an experience filled with encouragement, support, and a deep sense of belonging within the LCU family.
As Family Nurse Practitioners, graduates like Dr. Sandy Reeves noted that being part of the first doctoral cohort strengthened leadership skills, advanced scholarly practice, and deepened a commitment to providing evidence-based care to patients and communities. That preparation was reinforced by intentional mentorship and a learning environment grounded in faith.
Dr. Laurianna Nerios described her doctoral experience as transformative, pointing to the strong Christian foundation of the program and the faculty’s genuine investment in student success. She shared that the guidance and care she received shaped both her professional growth and spiritual life.
University leadership emphasized the broader significance of the moment. Dr. Toby Rogers, Dean of the B. Ward Lane College of Science and Health Professions, said, “I’m so excited to celebrate the first doctoral student graduates’ at Lubbock Christian University and the School of Nursing. This is a testament to the incredible work of our nursing faculty and their valuable contributions to the nursing profession in this region. The Lubbock and surrounding communities will be further blessed to have more LCU nursing graduates from the bachelor’s level through doctoral level helping meet the growing need for nurses in our region. These students embody our mission of ‘transforming the hearts, minds and hands of students for lives of purpose and service.’ In addition, the pioneering spirit of the School of Nursing has paved the way for other doctoral programs at LCU. We are excited to see how God will use these new opportunities to further His kingdom reach.”
LCU President Dr. Scott McDowell reflected on the deeper impact of the milestone, saying, “What excites me most about this milestone, is the fact that these leaders take an understanding of their place in God’s world into their work. I am grateful for this moment and genuinely excited about the future of these well-equipped graduates.”
As the inaugural doctoral graduates crossed the stage in December for their official hooding, they marked both the culmination of years of dedication and the beginning of a new chapter for Lubbock Christian University. What began as a single doctoral classroom has become a foundation built on faith, leadership, and a pioneering spirit. That legacy is already continuing. This fall, LCU’s College of Education welcomed its first cohort in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program, signaling a growing commitment to doctoral education and the preparation of leaders equipped to serve with purpose across disciplines.