Encouraged by her high school teacher and UNC Greensboro alumna, Emalee Zingher ’14, Jyesha McKinney knew from her first visit to campus, this was the place for her.
Sure, she applied to other universities. But the diversity and affordability of UNCG attracted McKinney, who confesses “ever since that first day, I fell in love.”
And the pursuit of nursing as a career was a given as she’s a natural caregiver and sought to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps.
The oldest of five and the oldest grandchild, she is the self-declared “sole caretaker of my whole family,” and she specifically cared for her “Mema,” who was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
“My Mema was very sick with COPD, Dementia and other health issues, and I always took care of her,” says McKinney. This experience coupled with taking nursing career track courses in high school set her on this professional path.
Next week, she’ll cross the stage at commencement as a first-generation college graduate and begin the career she’s dreamed of.
“Since I was admitted, I made it a point to prove I belong here. I have never earned below a B grade, which speaks volumes considering the difficulty of the program.”
Jyesha McKinney
Support in Spades
McKinney started her UNCG journey in 2020, with the country in the thick of COVID-19, which presented real challenges to connecting with other students on campus or in the classroom during her first year.
“It was weird. Everyone was wearing masks, and we could not have the first-year dorm experience,” she says. “And in the classroom, you could not recognize people or participate in group projects.”
By her second year, McKinney was more than ready to adjust to college life, become involved in campus activities, and “talk to everyone.”
When it came to applying to the UNCG’s School of Nursing (SON), McKinney found a big cheerleader in her pre-nursing advisor Britt Flanagan. She advocated for McKinney, identifying her as a hardworking student and overall good person.
“Since I was admitted, I made it a point to prove I belong here. I have never earned below a B grade, which speaks volumes considering the difficulty of the program,” she says.
All the SON faculty and staff strive to see you succeed, shares McKinney, noting even SON Dean Debra Barksdale checks in on her.
“I know Jyesha as a student and as a fellow member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., to which I have belonged since 1980,” says Barksdale. “Jyesha exemplifies the motto of UNCG, ‘Service,’ and the guiding principle of Sigma Gamma Rho, ‘Greater Service, Greater Progress.’’
A Lesson in Leadership
Although McKinney’s first year was unique, she quickly embraced campus life and grew her leadership skills, starting as a sophomore.
In 2022, she joined UNCG Student Government Association’s (SGA) first-ever public relations team and managed SGA’s Instagram account, created flyers, and produced videos. The SGA Black History Month video earned an award.
“I branched out as I had never worked on PR materials before,” McKinney says. “I talked to respected leaders on campus and built good relationships.”
The following year, she became an at-large senator and then became vice-president in 2024. This year, she serves as chief of staff, supporting the current SGA president.
“I worked to improve relations between the student body and the UNCG Police department, including hosting an SGA and UNCG Police End-of-Semester Cookout,” Mckinney says. “I also worked with UNCG’s comfort dog Odin and Officer Zachary Lynch.”
McKinney also serves as president of the Omicron Eta chapter of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, one of the Divine Nine. Rooted in “scholarship, sisterhood, and service,” the sorority participates in two service events each month, including visiting nursing homes and hosting a baby shower to educate and support Black women.
Other honors McKinney earned include initiation into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and recent selection for the 2025 Provost Student Excellence Award, the highest academic honor for undergraduate students at UNCG.
Ready to Serve
It’s not surprising McKinney landed a one-year residency following graduation with her first-choice facility. She will work at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in the emergency department, which is in line with her long-term desire to become an ER nurse.
“Novant is unique in that you have rotations in different hospitals in their service group, throughout the Triad and surrounding areas,” says McKinney. “Following residency, you are often offered a full-time position and can then select where you would like to work full-time.”
The first-generation graduate is up for the challenge: “I feel prepared because I have completed a rigorous nursing curriculum along with all the associated clinical hours.”
A Big Thing
McKinney will miss the tightknit support system she’s created here at UNCG, but she is excited to be surrounded by her family when she walks across the stage.
She says her greatest accomplishment at UNCG is finishing the program, and she looks forward to celebrating at her upcoming graduation ceremony..
“I am the first in my family. That is a big thing!” says McKinney.
The good news is she will not be the last family member to graduate. Her sister is now a sophomore at UNCG, continuing a new family tradition.
Story by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
