The No. 1 educator of nursing students in the U.S. hosted ceremonies for doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s grads.
Commencement capped a Chamberlain three-peat for Dr. Shakira Cinalli. She earned a Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree as an RN in 2015, a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree in 2020, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2023.
She and her husband and three children traveled from New Jersey to Chicago to celebrate. She even painted her nails Chamberlain blue. It’s her favorite color.
“Once you’re on stage and they call your name, an unbelievable sensation comes over you, like I’m finally done,” she says. “I feel like I’ve been with Chamberlain forever. It’s ripping my heart out right now that I’m no longer there.”
Where you’ll find this second-generation nurse is at a clinic in an underserved area of Philadelphia. Her favorite part of being a primary caregiver for her mostly elderly patients with complex chronic conditions is celebrating each win with them, whether it’s that they lost weight or just didn’t gain any.
Since pursuing a doctorate, though, she’s found a seat at the table with upper management. She’s advocated for bringing on social workers and community health workers to address social determinants of health. “They meet with patients while they are waiting to offer help with housing resources, electric bills, or the closest food pantry,” she says.
Chamberlain is the leading grantor of MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees to under-represented minority students in the United States.
Chamberlain’s newest graduates join over 120,000 alumni from the university.
In calendar year 2022, Adtalem’s nursing programs across Chamberlain University and Walden University graduated more than 19,000 nurses with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or certificate in nursing.
Dr. Cinalli was among more than 1,600 graduates who registered to attend commencement ceremonies for Chamberlain University’s post-licensure nursing and graduate programs. That includes the online programs: RN-to-BSN, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing, Master of Public Health, and Master of Social Work. Students represented all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
They heard inspiring words from Adtalem Global Education President and CEO Steve Beard.
“I was the first person in my family to attend and complete college, and I learned the hard way that while talent and ability are equally distributed across the population, opportunity unfortunately is not,” said Beard. “Here at Chamberlain, we believe in expanding opportunity, because success is what happens when opportunity and preparation intersect. I want to applaud each of you on being prepared to meet your moment of opportunity.”
Chamberlain’s newest graduates join over 120,000 alumni from the university.
In calendar year 2022, Adtalem’s nursing programs across Chamberlain University and Walden University graduated more than 19,000 nurses with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or certificate in nursing.
*Analysis is based on FY2021 IPEDS data downloaded on 09/15/2022. Under-represented minority includes students who identify as: American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.”
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
