Sydney Gibbons

In her role as president of the college’s Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) for the 2024-25 academic year, Sydney Gibbons is looking forward to supporting several local non-profit organizations. The student organization hosts many annual events such as the Light the Night Walk, the Keep Memories Alive Walk and the Nurses Christian Fellowship Virtual Retreat.

Many NCF members volunteer at Boca Helping Hands to assemble pantry bags which are later distributed to food-insecure individuals and families throughout Palm Beach County. In addition, they also participate in Operation Christmas Child and collect toys that are delivered to children around the world.

“One of my goals is for NCF to collaborate with other organizations and become involved in more events,” shared Gibbons who is expected to graduate from the Freshman Direct Admit program in spring 2026. Another goal, Gibbons continued, is to attract and retain more students to the organization. “I would like to expand NCF through an increase in our membership and participation,” expressed Gibbons. “We are always welcoming new members at any time during the school year!”

Gibbons is also active in research studies within the College of Nursing. Earlier this year, she participated in the AVANA poster presentation, “Using a Caring Ethic in Advocacy Work: Advanced Practice Nurses’ Professionalism in Restrictive States,” with Dr. Louise Aurélien-Buie, assistant dean of Executive and Continuing Education and Academic-Practice Partnerships and associate professor in the College of Nursing.

In addition, Gibbons was awarded a 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant. Sponsored by Florida Atlantic University’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI), Gibbons will participate in a 10-week, intensive summer immersion research experience with her faculty mentor, Dr. Aurélien-Buie. The aim of their project is to explore nursing students’ awareness and understanding of the current health policies that influence nursing practices in the State of Florida.

Students who are interested in participating in NCF can email Gibbons at  sgibbons2022@health.fau.edu, join NCF’s GroupMe or follow NCF on Instagram @fau_ncf. All are invited to attend the monthly meetings which are held both in-person and via Zoom every third Tuesday on the College of Nursing’s Boca Raton campus, in Room 202.