Tina Mellick moved from Arizona to Oklahoma four years ago in search of stability and space for her growing family.
“Once I knew I was pregnant with my second child, my daughter, I knew I wanted a house and not apartment living,” remembers Mellick.
At the time, she had not finished high school. She earned her GED in 2023 and enrolled at Tulsa Community College soon after.
As a TRIO student, Mellick found support navigating college and was introduced to opportunities like the George and Donna Nigh Leadership Academy. In February, she completed the program, which brings together students from across the state for a leadership-focused experience.
Leadership in Action
Mellick participated in the Nigh Academy’s four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Oklahoma City, where students visited museums, met with state leaders, and observed the legislative process. She also earned a $1,000 scholarship through the program.
Mellick was selected to represent TCC through a faculty nomination, recognizing her leadership potential. Only one student is selected from each college or university for the program each year.
“The George and Donna Nigh Scholars program brings student leaders from across the state to engage with other student leaders, learn about the value of public service, and to interact with local and state leaders,” says Jarrett Jobe, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Government Relations at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Nigh Academy Director. “One of the themes of the program is that these talented Oklahoma students ‘Can Do it From Here’ in their careers and volunteerism.”
“We ventured around Oklahoma and went to a lot of different museums from the Oklahoma City Memorial to the History Center and the First Americans Museum,” says Mellick. “It was such a great experience and getting to make connections with everyone was really special.”
The group also observed bills being heard on the State Capitol floor and attended an Oklahoma City Rotary Club luncheon.
Mellick says one of the moments that stands out to her most was meeting George and Donna Nigh’s daughter, Georgeann.
“We talked the whole dinner and when it was time for us to go, she gave me a hug goodbye. It felt like we made a genuine connection,” recalls Mellick.
A Future in Nursing
Mellick said beyond the experience itself, the program challenged students to think more intentionally about their careers and the impact they want to make. As a Pre-Nursing major at TCC, Mellick says she’s been interested in a medical career for a long time.
“Jarrett asked us what we want to do in our careers that is going to create change. I realized I had never sat down and thought, ‘What change am I going to make as a nurse?’ Life is so chaotic and busy that you don’t ask yourself those types of questions,” reflects Mellick.
She says the experience helped her see that her role in healthcare can extend beyond patient care to education and long-term wellness.
“When it comes to nursing, I want to do more than treat patients in the moment. I want to help people understand their bodies and make more informed decisions about their health,” says Mellick.
Jobe says Mellick’s engagement and leadership stood out throughout the program.
“Tina was a tremendous participant in the program and represented TCC with distinction. We consistently observe students contributing to the success of their communities after participating in this program and have no doubt Tina will achieve great things in the future,” says Jobe.
The experience helped Mellick see her leadership abilities more clearly.
“I knew I had leadership qualities, and the academy solidified it,” says Mellick. “It gave me more confidence, especially having conversations with senators and lobbyists and being able to hold my own.”