Sophomore and Basketball Player, Melicia Nelson, Ending Pima Career on a High Note

By Dina Doolen, Marketing, Communications, and Strategic Outreach

Sophomore Melicia Nelson ended her Pima basketball career on a high note. Not only did the team win the NJCAA Division II National Championship, but she was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Thanks to Pima, she says, she has grown as a basketball player and person – and started her career journey to becoming a nurse.

“Meish,” who graduated from Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, is receiving an Associate of Art-Liberal Arts in May and is weighing her next step – college or university.

“Right now I’m just taking my time to weigh everything and narrow it down so I can choose a place where I feel comfortable, supported and able to succeed in both the classroom and in my sport,” she says.

Here’s her story.

Before Pima, what was a major obstacle standing in the way of your education, and how did choosing Pima help you?

Before Pima, one of my biggest challenges was figuring out how to balance everything and having a clear path. I had goals, but I didn’t always have the structure to reach them. Coming to Pima helped with that; it gave me both academic direction and a great team environment that keeps me accountable. It’s helped me become more disciplined.

Why did you choose nursing for a career?

I wanted a career where I could make a real impact on people’s lives. It’s challenging, but that’s part of what drew me to it. I like being pushed, and I like knowing that what I’m working toward actually matters.

What are your career goals/what’s next after completing this program?

I’m definitely going to continue my athletic career while also continuing to work toward my end goal of being a nurse. I want to keep growing both on the court and in my education, and take advantage of every opportunity in both areas. Next year, I will be applying to a Practical Nursing program.

What’s a typical weekday during basketball season like?

A typical busy day starts pretty early. I’ll wake up, get ready and prepare for class or complete some assignments. In the morning, I’m usually in class, depending on the day.

In the afternoon, I’ll have practice or workouts, which can be pretty intense during the season. After that, I’ll grab something to eat and then focus on studying or finishing assignments.

In the evenings, it’s mostly about getting schoolwork done and preparing for the next day before getting some rest.

There are definitely times where I’m studying with teammates before practice or even doing homework on the bus to games. It can get hectic, but you learn how to manage it.

Balancing basketball, school and personal stuff isn’t easy, but it’s taught me a lot about time management and discipline. Having teammates going through similar things helps a lot. You kind of build a routine, even if every week looks different. You really learn how to prioritize and stay focused.