Meet: Nataliah Scarbrough
For Nataliah Scarbrough, nursing runs in the family.
The 21-year-old Meridian native is a sophomore at Meridian Community College, working toward her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. While she isn’t in the Associate Degree Nursing program yet, Scarbrough is determined to earn her ADN at MCC. Four of her six sisters are already nurses.
“I came to MCC because it’s so close to home, and all my sisters came here,” Scarbrough said. “Now it’s me and my other sister going, too.”
Scarbrough’s passion for caring for others shows in her work. She is a certified nursing assistant at East Mississippi State Hospital, where she also works full-time while taking classes at MCC.
“I love babies. I love taking care of others,” she said. “I see myself in a few years in Atlanta, studying at Augusta Medical to become an OBGYN — and maybe even opening my own practice one day.”
After a gap year, Scarbrough returned to MCC and joined the Ivy League Recruiters, a group of student leaders who help showcase MCC to prospective students.
“I felt like I had a second chance at MCC,” she said.
Scarbrough credits her advisor, pre-health education specialist Jimmyia Smith, with helping her get back on track. “The advisors are the best thing about MCC,” she said. “Ms. Smith really helped me figure things out and encouraged me when I came back.”
Beyond school and work, Scarbrough has served for four years in the Army National Guard as a human resources specialist. Holding the rank of E4 (specialist/corporal), she is set to be promoted to E5 (sergeant) at an upcoming pinning ceremony.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.