Full Circle: RCC Alumna Monisha Golden Becomes First Recipient of Nursing Fellowship
At a recent luncheon, RCC nursing faculty member and proud alumna Monisha Golden met someone who helped pave the way for her success—Catherine Courtney, the trailblazer behind the region’s first nursing program. In 1974, Courtney launched the program at Rappahannock Community College, dedicating over 30 years to mentoring hundreds of aspiring nurses. Her legacy lives on through the Catherine Mooklar Courtney Endowed Nursing Fellowship, which was established to expand access to nursing education and strengthen public health in our rural community.
Golden is the first recipient of this distinguished fellowship.
“Thanks to the Catherine Courtney Fellowship, I am able to achieve my academic goals without the financial burden of tuition,” Golden shared.
Her journey is a testament to RCC’s mission: from nursing student to faculty member, Golden has truly come full circle. A 2019 graduate of RCC’s Nursing Program, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing in 2021. She’s now pursuing a master’s degree in Community Health Nursing at Liberty University.
“I find great joy in being back at RCC,” Golden said. “I’m passionate about cultivating the next generation of compassionate, skilled nurses.”
Her story is an inspiring reminder that with support, mentorship, and determination, RCC students can return to serve—and shape—the very communities they came from.