The Power of AlcoRN: Brave Nurse Leaders
Spotlight No. 1 — Raven Stampley Jones Under Pressure in the NICU
By Shirley Evers-Manly, RN, PhD, FAAN, ALDN
In the high-stakes world of neonatal intensive care, calm, competence, and compassion are non-negotiable. For Ravyen Stampley Jones, a proud graduate of Alcorn State University School of Nursing, these qualities are not only second nature — they are a calling.
Now celebrating her first year as a Registered Nurse at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Ms. Stampley-Jones has quickly become a respected presence among her colleagues and a source of quiet strength for the tiniest patients and their families. Her journey began with a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, which carried her through nursing school, where she graduated with honors from Alcorn School of Nursing.
“I’ve always wanted to serve where the need was the greatest, and I knew from early on that the Work with women and children and improve the health outcomes of women and children in Mississippi. Working in the NICU is where I belong,” she shared.
At UMMC, Ravyen cares for fragile newborns with critical conditions—each shift demanding both technical skill and emotional resilience. Yet even amid the pressures of modern healthcare, her grounded presence is a reminder of what it means to lead with heart and precision.
Her story reflects the mission and legacy of Alcorn’s School of Nursing: to prepare brave, bold nurse leaders who serve with purpose, intelligence, and grace under pressure.
As she celebrates her first full year as a nurse, Ms. Stampley-Jones stands as a beacon of what is possible when preparation meets passion—and why Alcorn nurses continue to be a powerful force in advancing health equity across Mississippi and beyond.
“Raven Stampley Jones is an outstanding example of what it means to be an AlcoRN Brave Nurse Leader. Her journey from student to NICU nurse at one of the state’s leading hospitals shows the strength, skill, and compassion our graduates carry into the world. We are incredibly proud of her.” — Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, Dean of the School of Nursing, Alcorn State University
Located at Alcorn State University, Natchez Campus, the Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing has a proud tradition of graduating competent, caring, professional nurses who make a difference in their communities and beyond.
The School of Nursing was founded in 1977, and has produced hundreds of entry-level and advanced practice nurses who are employed in a variety of health-care settings. The School of Nursing provides a state-of-the art learning environment that will enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide safe, effective, client-centered care.
The School of Nursing is organized into two academic programs; Undergraduate and Graduate. The Undergraduate Programs consist of the Associate of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Graduate Program consists of the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Vision
The vision of the School of Nursing is to achieve national prominence as a leader of excellence in nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing research.
Mission
Through teaching, scholarship, and service, the mission of the School of Nursing is to provide undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that are committed to excellence in the education and preparation of clinically competent, caring, nursing professionals.
Values
Holism, integrity, professionalism, diversity, accountability, competence, leadership, service, and collaboration.
Philosophy
The faculty believes that nursing is both a science and an art. It is a science built on knowledge from the humanities and the natural, psychological, sociological, and nursing sciences.
Student Advising
Faculty advisors are assigned for students in the undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing (SON) at Alcorn State University after the student has been accepted to the SON and are registered and begin classes.
Associate of Science
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program offers two options leading to the ASN degree: the Generic Program Option, which can be completed in four (4) semesters and the Licensed
