Life’s journey is rarely a straight road; instead, it’s a path filled with twists, turns, and moments that shape who we are. For Sanitha Douglas, earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) was not just a personal achievement but a celebration of resilience, faith, and the transformative power of education—a journey that began with Drake State Community & Technical College.

Douglas was raised in North Carolina, one of six children raised by grandparents and a teen mother. In her family, graduating high school was seen as an extraordinary accomplishment. Inspired by older relatives who pursued higher education at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Sanitha aspired to do the same, though she was unsure how to prepare for the challenge.

In 1991, she earned her associate degree from Oakwood College, now Oakwood University. Over the years, she built a career in healthcare, working at Huntsville Hospital, Oakwood University, Kelly Assisted Living, and Health South, now Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that her passion for learning reignited.

While working, Douglas and a coworker, “BT,” decided to join the Adult Bridge Program at Drake State. This program offered foundational courses like biology, math, and computer science, which helped adults bridge the gap to higher education. For Douglas, these classes did more than enhance her knowledge—they sparked something within her to continue learning. The program’s nurturing environment and supportive faculty reminded her that education was always within reach, regardless of where life had taken her.

Motivated by her experience at Drake State and with the support of her husband and daughters, Douglas pursued her bachelor’s degree online at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2014. But the spark from Drake State kept glowing. Encouraged by her close coworker and friend, Juliet Knight, Douglas took a bold leap, enrolling in a program at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, that allowed her to go straight from her bachelor’s to earning her doctorate.

Balancing work, family, and school, Douglas persevered, completing her DNP in 2024. Her return to Drake State came through a familiar face: Dr. Mbuguje, who had also been her coworker at Oakwood, Encompass, and Kelly Assisted Living all those years ago. Dr. Mbuguje encouraged her to rejoin the Drake State community, this time as an adjunct instructor.

Today, as Dr. Sanitha Douglas reflects on a journey filled with faith in God, determination, and the guiding hand of mentors and institutions like Drake State.

Her story is a testament to the idea that the road to success is not always linear but always worthwhile. For Dr. Douglas, the lessons she learned with Drake State didn’t just prepare her for academic success—they ignited a lifelong passion for growth that continues to inspire those around her.

Now, as an adjunct instructor at Drake State, Dr. Douglas has come full circle. She teaches with the same open arms and nurturing spirit she experienced years ago, proving that no matter where someone’s journey begins, Drake State is here to support and guide them every step of the way.

Dr. Douglas’s story is proof that education changes lives—not just for the students but for everyone they touch. Drake State remains a steadfast partner for anyone ready to take that first step, sparking dreams and lighting the way for journeys yet to come.