In a Critical Moment, the Right Place Became Gordon State College
By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager
When an unexpected Verizon service outage left Jessica Valoren, a nursing major at Gordon State College, disoriented and experiencing a medical emergency, the quick response and compassion of two campus employees made all the difference.
On the first day of Spring 2026 classes, Valoren, who lives in Spalding County, experienced a hypoglycemic episode while trying to find her way home after her phone’s GPS became unusable. Still learning the Barnesville area and concerned for her safety, she returned to campus to seek help.
As Valoren approached the Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (NAHS) Building, Officer J. Little with GSC Public Safety was securing the building when she began to lose consciousness. Little immediately stepped in, purchasing a Coke from a vending machine and retrieving orange juice and honey from nearby Highlander Hall. He also allowed Valoren to use his phone to contact her husband and brother and remained with her until additional help arrived.
Shortly after, Nancy Walraven, GSC assistant professor of nursing, arrived, assessed the situation, and remained with Valoren during the uncertainty of the moment. She also provided peanut butter crackers to help stabilize her blood sugar levels while waiting for her family members to arrive and escort her home safely.
For Valoren, the moment carried a deeper significance. Her journey to GSC began one year earlier on Jan. 14, her birthday, when she stopped on campus while passing through the area. Originally from Houston, Texas, Valoren was new to the region and searching for directions when she decided to walk into the NAHS Building.
At the time, she was enrolled as a nursing major at another University System of Georgia institution and said she had struggled to find encouragement and support. A discouraging experience left her questioning her path in nursing, and she described feeling uncertain about her future in the profession.
That unexpected stop on campus changed her perspective. When Valoren stepped into the NAHS Building, she recalled feeling an immediate sense of calm and familiarity. The environment, filled with the sights and rhythms of nursing education and patient care, created an unexpected ease that stood in contrast to the uncertainty she had been carrying. She described feeling a strong pull toward the space, as though something had quietly aligned in that moment.
While inside the building, Valoren met Dr. Samantha Bishop, GSC interim dean of the School of Nursing, Health and STEM, who welcomed her and connected her with Amie Johnson, GSC assistant professor of nursing. Johnson took time to speak with Valoren about GSC’s nursing program, answering questions and guiding her through the application process. Valoren recalled feeling encouraged and reassured by the conversation, which helped affirm her decision to apply and continue pursuing her nursing degree at Highlander Nation.
Valoren said small acts of kindness during that visit also stood out, including support from Bishop and Dr. Victor Vilchiz, GSC chemistry professor.
“Dr. Bishop and Dr. Vilchiz guided me to a microwave and even helped track down a fork so I could enjoy the lunch I had been looking forward to all day,” Valoren said. “Those moments of care and humanity stayed with me and reinforced my sense that I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Exactly one year later, again on her birthday, Valoren began her first semester in the nursing program.
She said the timing felt meaningful, describing her path to Gordon State as a series of moments that aligned and guided her forward. From her first visit to campus to her first day of classes, she said each step reinforced that she had found the right place to continue her journey.
That sense of timing extended to the day of her medical emergency. Walraven noted that she had remained on campus later than usual that evening and happened to be nearby when assistance was needed. Little also recognized the signs of a diabetic emergency quickly, sharing with Valoren that a personal family experience had helped him understand the urgency of the situation and respond without hesitation.
Valoren expressed deep gratitude for the care she received, referring to Little and Walraven as her “campus angels” during a critical moment.
“Their compassion, attentiveness, and calm presence made a profound difference in a vulnerable moment,” Valoren said. “I am still learning to manage these hypoglycemic episodes and working each day on stronger prevention strategies.”
GSC continues to prioritize student well-being through the dedication of faculty and staff who respond with professionalism, care, and humanity when it matters most. For Valoren, the experience reaffirmed her decision to become a Highlander and strengthened her commitment to a future in nursing, where she hopes to offer the same level of care and reassurance to others.