More Than a Degree, More Than a Place

Commencement may signal the end of a college journey, but for Christian and Katie Marquez, their connection to UVA Wise didn’t end once they crossed the stage in 2016. Katie, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Christian, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, made the most of their educations, preparing for careers in healthcare and business. The College’s impact on their lives extended far beyond the classroom. It was here that they navigated some of the most formative years of young adulthood together and strengthened a relationship that continues today. 

Both natives of the Charlottesville area, the couple’s story began in high school. Once it was time to pick a destination for their next four years, the College’s small class sizes, affordability and small-town feel attracted them both. 

“I had always known about UVA Wise because my childhood friend went there. After I toured the campus my senior year of high school, I was sold,” said Christian. 

Katie vividly remembers being dropped off by her parents in front of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center. 

“I stood outside of Slemp and cried,” said Katie. “I was really nervous about being so far from home. It felt like such a big deal at the time.”

What she didn’t yet realize was that the campus she tearfully arrived at would soon feel like a second home. 

For Katie, the decision to pursue nursing came early. Her mother Maria “Mia” Campbell, a registered nurse and certified critical care nurse, decided to go back to school to pursue a nursing degree when Katie was in the fourth grade. Her mother’s passion for helping others led her to join the nursing program at UVA Wise. 

“One of the most meaningful parts of my time at the College was the relationships I built within the nursing program,” said Katie. “The program required a lot of studying, clinical work and time together, and our cohort really became like family. We leaned on each other through challenges and celebrated each other’s successes, which made the entire experience feel so much more manageable and rewarding.”

While Katie was building the foundation for her nursing career, Christian was shaping his future within the Business & Economics Department, pursuing a degree in business administration, with the goal of using his degree to manage and operate a restaurant he had worked for back home. 

Katie and Christian also worked part-time at the David J. Prior Convocation Center, citing Chris Davis, the director of the David J. Prior Center, as leaving a positive impact on them both. 

The couple also credited former campus police officer Kevin Yates and his wife, Misty, for being a strong support system throughout their time at the College. 

“Being away from my family was one of the hardest parts of college, but we were fortunate enough to have Kevin and Misty, who were incredibly kind and supportive,” said Katie. 

As their time at UVA Wise continued, the couple began building a life together outside of the classroom. After moving into an off-campus apartment together, they adopted their first puppy, a boxer who quickly became a part of their family. 

The couple spent as much of their free time as they could exploring the region, often taking hikes and enjoying the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia.

Greek life was another important part of the couple’s college experience. Near the end of their senior year, Christian joined his Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers for a campus tradition that took them to several locations around campus, singing at each stop. 

One of those stops was the Slemp Center, the very building that had been the backdrop for one of Katie’s most emotional first days on campus. A few short years later, it would become the setting for another unforgettable milestone. 

In the midst of their singing tradition, Christian surprised Katie by proposing in the very spot she had stood on move-in day.

Surrounded by their friends, the place that was initially a symbol of worry and uncertainty became a place of love.

The proposal marked the beginning of the couple’s next chapter together. They married in 2017, exactly one year after graduating, and have since welcomed three children: Elyse, 8, Cason, 6 and Camille “Cami”, 3. 

As they built their family, both carried the knowledge and experiences they gained at the College into their respective careers. 

Katie began her career at UVA Medical Center in the Acute Care Pediatrics and Intermediate Care (IMU) Unit, where she worked as a bedside nurse for six years before progressing to charge nurse and eventually her current role as an assistant nurse manager. 

“My current role is definitely hard to explain because no two days are the same,” Katie began. “I support the nurse manager with day-to-day unit operations, staff supervision and a lot of other behind-the-scenes work that allows the unit to run smoothly.” 

From scheduling and supporting staff development to recruiting and collaborating with various healthcare teams to improve patient care and workflow, her role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities. 

“Moving away from the bedside was a tough transition for me, but now I get to support patients in a different way, by helping to create an environment where the patient can get the best care possible,” said Katie. “I also really enjoy being able to support and grow the staff that I work with, which has become one of the most rewarding parts for me.”

Soon after graduating, Christian realized his heart was no longer in the food industry and decided to look elsewhere, leading him to his current position as Head Operations Manager for a confidential records destruction company. 

“My duties often differ from day-to-day,” Christian began. “I handle everything from routine logistics, mechanical issues, customer service, sales, accounting and other administrative tasks. I am involved in pretty much anything and everything that I can in order to keep the business running smoothly.”

Christian credits the courses he took at the College for providing him with a strong foundation that sustained him during a career path change. 

Nearly a decade after graduating, Katie and Christian continue to carry the lessons and relationship they built at UVA Wise with them. 

When asked what she would tell students considering joining the nursing program at UVA Wise, Katie’s answer centered on the people and sense of community that shaped her experience. 

That same sense of community is what continues to draw their family back to campus year after year.