FAMU Made: Jackson Hopkins prepares for career in emergency medicine
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Jackson Hopkins Learned early that nursing requires more than medical knowledge. It demands calm under pressure, compassion and the ability to lead when others need reassurance.
Growing up in Tampa, Hopkins knew early on that he wanted to attend an HBCU while remaining in-state. After researching schools, visiting campus and hearing positive experiences from friends already enrolled, he said FAMU quickly separated itself from the rest.
“Looking at FAMU, the No. 1 public HBCU and the greatest HBCU ever, I knew I had to go,” Hopkins said.
Before arriving at Florida A&M University, Hopkins had already built a strong academic foundation, graduated salutatorian of Jule F. Summer High School while earning his Associate of Arts degree and Cambridge AICE Diploma,an early indication of the discipline that would later define his college career.
Beyond academics, Hopkins said the university’s culture and alumni network played a major role in his decision. He was especially drawn to the School of Nursing’s reputation and the sense of community he felt while touring campus.
Jackson Hopkins served with pride as Mr. School of Nursing, representing leadership,
excellence and a deep commitment to uplifting his peers while pursuing his passion
for health care at Florida A&M University. (Photo Courtesy: Jackson Hopkins)
“It had a good nursing program, the academics, the culture of the school, the alumni
base,” Hopkins shared. “It was not too close, but not too far, about four hours away from Tampa ,and I knew this was the school for me.”
Now a FAMU graduate, Hopkins earned his Bachelor of Science in nursing cum laude, graduating near the top of his class during the university’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, service and personal growth.
“It’s interesting how far I’ve come; personally, socially, professionally, mentally,” he said.
Finding nursing through experience
Hopkins said his decision to pursue nursing was not immediate but rather discovered through experience.
After high school, he participated in B.E.S.T. Medical in Tampa, Fla., a medical program that introduced him to different healthcare careers. During one simulation, he was tasked with assessing a patient mannequin, monitoring vita lsand responding in real time.
“That was the moment,” he said. “I fell in love with it right then and there.”
As his passion for nursing grew, so did Hopkins involvement across the Highest of Seven Hills.
A pivotal moment in Jackson Hopkins’ journey — the pinning ceremony marking his transition
from student to future health care professional. A symbol of dedication, compassion
and the purpose that has guided his path at Florida A&M University. (Photo Courtesy:
Jackson Hopkins)
Growth beyond the classroom
While navigating the academic demands of nursing school, Hopkins took on multiple leadership roles across campus. He served as a resident assistant at Towers North, an orientation leader and a member of the Spring 2024 Soldiers Chapter of Collegiate 100, an organization focused on mentorship, professional development and community service.
He was also selected to the School of Nursing royal court, a distinction that reflects both peer recognition and campus involvement.
“Jackson does well under pressure,” said Rose Laure-Louis, a fellow Spring 2026 nursing graduate. “He always keeps a positive attitude and tries his best to cheer up everyone around him.”
For many of his classmates, Hopkins became a consistent source of support during one of the university’s most demanding academic programs.
“Working alongside Jackson made my time in nursing so much better,” Laure-Louis said. “He made it his mission to be everyone’s friend.”
Fellow nursing peer Reese McDowell, who served as 2026 Miss Nursing, described Hopkins as both dependable and compassionate.
“He is someone you can rely on,” she said. “He takes his time to listen and understand whether it’s a classmate or a patient.”
Lessons in compassion
Hopkins completed his clinical training at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where he gained firsthand experience in patient care and healthcare environments.
One of the most defining lessons, he recalled, came from observing the conditions some patients faced and the level of care they received.
“That experience taught me to show compassion and to always treat people with respect,” Hopkins said. “These people need your help.”
That mindset, faculty say, is what sets him apart.
Katoria Westbrook, Ph.D., a nursing professor, described Hopkins as a student driven by an internal sense of responsibility.
“There is something he feels he has to prove to himself,” Westbrook said. “It shows up as working hard, being focused and persevering.”
She recalled moments where Hopkins stepped into leadership roles during clinical rotations, guiding peers, and taking initiative in patient care.
“Watching him grow … into someone who could lead in clinical spaces was powerful,” she said.
Rooted in purpose and prepared to serve, Jackson Hopkins stands outside FAMU’s Ware-Rhaney
School of Nursing — the place where his calling in health care was sharpened into
a future of impact. (Photo Courtesy: Jackson Hopkins)
Looking ahead
Following graduation, Hopkins will begin a new graduate nursing residency with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, where he plans to pursue a career at the Bixler Emergency Center.
“I like the fast-paced environment,” he said. “You gain a wide variety of knowledge and learn how to care for different patients every day.”
While his immediate focus is entering the field, Hopkins said he is considering continuing his education and potentially pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree in the future.
As he prepares to transition from student to professional, Hopkins said one lesson stands above the rest — preparation.
“Start studying now,” he said. “Learn how to actually study to comprehend and critically think.”
It’s a message that reflects not only his journey, but the mindset that carried him from a high-achieving high school student to a respected leader within FAMU’s School of Nursing.
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
