After forging a friendship on the Main Campus, two Fairfield University alumnae enrolled together in the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) program on the Fairfield Austin Campus.
Fairfield University Class of 2022 alumnae Isabella Sweeney and Amanda Nowak have been close friends since their sophomore year, following a memorable first encounter on the third floor of Loyola Hall. After returning to the dorm from a weekend excursion, Sweeney discovered that she had contracted lice; overwhelmed, she found herself sitting on the bathroom floor in tears. That’s when Nowak appeared in the doorway, shower caddy in hand. For the next several hours, she patiently helped comb through Sweeney’s hair.
Inseparable and fiercely supportive of each other from that day forward, Sweeney and Nowak graduated two years later and set their sights on nursing school.
Charting a Career Path
Early in her college career, Nowak knew that she wanted to be a nurse. In fact, she nearly transferred into the nursing program at the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at the end of her second semester. However, she was concerned that the schedule of courses, labs, and clinicals might interfere with her obligations to the women’s tennis team.
Nowak had recently been named Player and Rookie of the Year by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and was not eager to upset the delicate balance between school and sports that she had established. She, therefore, decided to remain a chemistry major in the now-christened John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.
Sweeney was less certain about nursing than Nowak but still envisioned a career in the health professions. With many paths to consider, she majored in biology to keep her options open. Ultimately, she was drawn to nursing for its unique blend of patient-centric care and diverse career options and specialties.
For both Nowak and Sweeney, the transition to a second-degree nursing program was seamless, having already completed the prerequisite coursework in their previous bachelor’s degree programs.
A Return to Fairfield—This Time in Austin
When Nowak and Sweeney graduated, the Austin Campus did not yet exist—indeed, it would not open its doors for another year. Wishing to pursue their second degrees in a new setting, they initially looked beyond their alma mater.
That changed thanks to an unexpected nudge from Nowak’s father. A proud Fairfield alumnus and avid reader of Fairfield University Magazine, Hank Nowak ’89 began sending news articles to his daughter about Fairfield’s ASDNU program in Austin.
The more Nowak and Sweeney learned, the more interested they became. Already confident in the strength of a Fairfield education—and intrigued by the chance to study at the nationally ranked Egan School, the prospect of relocating to Austin felt like both a smart choice and a new adventure.
Staying the Course to Success
The two friends found exactly what they were looking for on the Austin Campus and are now halfway through the 15-month ASDNU program.
Foremost, Sweeney appreciates the program’s high academic standards, while Nowak values its small class sizes. They are confident that the rigorous yet supportive learning environment will equip them to be competent and compassionate healthcare providers.
As for Austin itself, Sweeney and Nowak love it. The weather and attractions provide them with near limitless options for study breaks, such as exploring the city’s diverse cultural scene and ample outdoor activities.
Sweeney and Nowak plan to graduate in August 2026 and will be the first alumnae to earn bachelor’s degrees from two Fairfield campuses.
