‘Happy coincidence’ brought two sisters to . Here’s their story
Meredith and Elizabeth Smith will graduate from Decker College May 15
When Meredith Smith ’11 crosses the stage to accept her Master of Public Health degree at the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences Commencement ceremony on May 15, her younger sister, Elizabeth Smith ’24, will cheer for her, along with the rest of her family and friends.
But Elizabeth won’t be seated in the bleachers. She’ll be sitting with her classmates, waiting to cross the stage herself to accept a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
“It’s an incredibly special milestone for both of us,” Meredith said. “I know my mother is extremely proud to see both of her daughters graduate together. I’m so proud of my sister for becoming a nurse and following her dreams, and sharing this moment makes it even more meaningful.”
Elizabeth added: “I’m really happy to be graduating with my sister and celebrating a big moment for both of us on the same day.”
Despite a 13-year age difference, the Smith sisters have much in common and are very close. Both are driven to care for others, and both have earned undergraduate degrees from already — Meredith in psychology in 2011 and Elizabeth in biological sciences in 2024. They work out together at the gym and love hiking with their dogs.
While the sisters have enjoyed being students at Decker College at the same time, it wasn’t by design.
“I’m glad Meredith is here with me but it really had no influence on my decision. I have wanted to attend Bing’s BAT program since I was an undergrad,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s a happy coincidence that we ended up on the same campus,” Meredith added.
Meredith’s story
A passion for serving others, particularly the desire to make a meaningful impact on large populations, led Meredith to Decker College in 2023 to pursue a graduate degree in public health after the COVID-19 pandemic heightened her interest in the field.
’s MPH program has deepened her knowledge and skills while enabling her to stay connected to the community where she grew up: “Public health allows me to address systemic health challenges and advocate for policies that improve community well-being,” she said.
For the past year, Meredith has been a graduate research assistant in Decker College’s O’Connor Office of Rural Health, working with Yvonne Johnston, who directs the office and is an associate professor and founding director of Decker’s Division of Public Health.
As a research assistant, Meredith has worked on a Hepatitis C elimination plan for New York state, helped identify gaps in healthcare, developed surveys, and organized focus groups to gather insights from healthcare providers and community members.
“This experience has strengthened my research and policy skills, preparing me to advocate for better public health programs at the state level,” she said.
Meredith has also been deeply involved in the Master of Public Health Graduate Student Organization (MPH GSO), serving as both president and publicity chair. As president, she advocated for students to have the flexibility to choose multiple electives, enabling them to explore various areas within public health. Additionally, she represented the student body at public health division meetings, where she voiced students’ concerns and ensured that their perspectives were considered in program decisions. Meredith said this service strengthened her leadership, communication and advocacy skills, preparing her to navigate policy and organizational changes in her career.
She tested some of those skills in the summer of 2024 when she interned in the office of Marc Molinaro, who served as the U.S. representative for New York’s 19th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.
“I worked closely with constituents to help resolve federal issues and attended various events representing the congressman,” Meredith explained. “This experience reinforced my passion for policy work and public service, giving me a deeper understanding of governmental processes and community engagement.”
Elizabeth’s story
From a young age, Elizabeth felt inspired to pursue a career in nursing after watching nurses tend to her grandmother in the hospital.
“Seeing how much they cared for her made me want to do the same for others,” she said.
Weeks after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Elizabeth was back in the classroom as part of Decker College’s Baccalaureate Accelerated Track (BAT) nursing program. This is a one-year fast track for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want a degree in nursing.
“It was the fastest way to reach my goal of becoming an operating room nurse while being close to home,” she said.
Although the BAT program is rigorous, Elizabeth particularly enjoyed her pathophysiology I and II and pharmacology classes because the content was similar to what she studied in biological sciences. She also connected with nursing faculty members, particularly Clinical Assistant Professors Alison Dura and Nicholas Terela and Clinical Lecturer Kathy Payne.
But it has been her fellow students who have affected Elizabeth the most.
“One of my favorite memories from the BAT program is the overall experience I have had with my friends. There’s not one sole moment I can pick out. I truly love my cohort and have made some great relationships,” she said. “When the staff said we would be very close, I didn’t believe it, but after going through the program, I can see exactly why they said that —it’s true!”
What’s next
Where do the sisters expect to find themselves once they have their degrees?
Meredith initially intended to work for a federal agency but is now shifting her focus to state-funded public health agencies. She is interested in public policy and advocacy and aims to influence significant health initiatives and work on structural improvements.
“This MPH journey has been incredibly rewarding, not just professionally but personally,” she said. “Being back in has brought me even closer to my sister and mother, and sharing this experience with them has made it even more special. I’ve grown as a leader, an advocate and a person, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned and make a real impact in public health.”
Elizabeth’s first major task after Commencement is taking (and passing) the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a test all nursing graduates must pass to become licensed registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S. She already knows where she’ll be after that.
“I feel prepared to enter the field of nursing; I think all of us are scared to take the NCLEX because of how much is riding on it, but with proper preparation, I feel good,” she said. “Post-graduation, I will be working in UHS Wilson Medical Center’s operating room. I hope to specialize in neurosurgery!”