Colleagues, friends and students of the late Dr. Susan Self have established a scholarship for Arkansas Tech University nursing students in her memory.
The Dr. Susan Self Memorial Scholarship will be offered through the ATU Foundation. Those who wish to support the scholarship may make a gift at www.atualumni.com/selfmemorial.
“Dr. Self was known as a true student advocate and cheerleader,” said Dr. Shaana Escobar, ATU professor of nursing. “You could almost always find a student sitting in her office seeking advice, reassurance or chocolate after a hard day. She had a way of making students feel seen, valued and capable. She celebrated their successes and encouraged them through their failures. She was a remarkable nurse, educator and colleague. She was also one of my dearest friends. We started as full-time faculty together and quickly formed a friendship that meant so much to me. I continue to strive to be the kind of educator, advocate and friend that she was to so many people. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, strength and dedication that will continue to inspire generations of nurses.”
Self began her association with the ATU Department of Nursing in 2008 as an adjunct clinical instructor. She became a full-time member of the ATU Department of Nursing faculty in 2012 and attained the rank of associate professor of nursing before stepping down for health reasons in 2025. She died on Jan. 12, 2026, following a lengthy fight against cancer. She was 51.
In order to be considered for the Dr. Susan Self Memorial Scholarship, an individual must be a currently enrolled upper division nursing program student at Arkansas Tech, maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, demonstrate financial need, be an active member of the ATU Student Nurses Association, be in good academic and professional standing with the ATU nursing program and submit a written statement about personal challenges encountered and overcome during nursing school.
Applicants will be required to write an essay that demonstrates their compassionate interaction with patients and peers, their perseverance through challenges, their encouragement and support of fellow nursing students or their participation in professional development activities.
“Dr. Self’s commitment to this program and her students was inspiring,” said Kayna Palmer, a 2026 graduate from the ATU nursing program. “Through her darkest and most challenging days, she continued to shine a light on this campus. She embodied the very heart of nursing through her dedication and resilience. She had a tangible passion for nursing and for this program, specifically. She showed up for her students on days that most of us would have stayed in bed. Not only did she show up, but she did it with joy in her heart and a smile on her face. She walked through tremendous hardships with both humility and grace. She taught us far more about what it means to be a nurse than any textbook ever could. She showed us that our circumstances do not have the power to define us…that there is good to be found in every day, if we are willing to look for it…and that there is power in remaining present, rather than fearing what tomorrow might bring. She has left a lasting impact in all of our hearts, and we were blessed to have the opportunity to learn from her.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of Nursing at www.atu.edu/ceh/nursing.
