From Crown to Clinicals: Nursing Major Chelsea Cooper Leads Campus with Service and Empathy
Posted on November 24, 2025 by College of Nursing
The College of Nursing is proud to celebrate Chelsea Cooper, one of our dedicated nursing majors, as the 2025 University of South Alabama Homecoming Queen. Beyond the court, Chelsea maintains an impressive presence as a campus leader while diligently pursuing her degree.
For Chelsea, the choice to enter nursing was deeply personal and purpose-driven.
"I chose nursing because I hope to serve God by serving His people, and this profession allows me to live that purpose every single day," she explains. "The most rewarding part has been seeing my growth clinically, academically, and personally, all while being supported by my family, my nursing study group (shoutout to the 'A Team'), and my sorority sisters. Even on the hardest days, the moments of connection with such vulnerable patients remind me exactly why God placed me on this path."
Chelsea's experience in the College of Nursing has been instrumental in honing her leadership abilities across campus. Her list of roles is extensive, including serving as a senator for the College of Nursing Student Government Association, President of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, among others.
"Nursing has taught me how to remain calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and lead with empathy skills that directly support my leadership across campus," she notes. "The ability to prioritize, delegate, and advocate effectively has made me a stronger, more grounded leader."
When asked about managing the demanding nursing curriculum alongside her many leadership roles, Chelsea attributes her success to discipline, faith, and community. "Balancing nursing school with all my leadership roles has taught me the power of discipline, faith, and community," she says. "I've learned that there is far more time in a day than we think, even on days when I leave patient pickup and walk straight into a meeting still in my scrubs."