ACHS Ushers in the Graduating Class of 2024 and Highlights Award Winners
Portland, OR – June 19, 2024 – American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) proudly celebrated its 2024 graduating class at the historic World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon. ACHS honored this year’s outstanding graduates, who have shown unwavering commitment to their education and a deep passion for holistic health and helping others. Graduates from across the country, including Washington, New York, Colorado, and Georgia, gathered in Portland with their families and friends to celebrate in person, while hundreds more joined the ceremony online via live stream.
The commencement ceremony, held on June 14, 2024, marked a momentous occasion for the graduates as they received their well-deserved degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The commencement ceremony included the announcement of the ACHS 2024 Famous Alumni and Outstanding Graduate Award recipients. The awards were presented by Director of Career and Alumni Services, Felicia Royce.
Famous Alumni Kaitlyn Musick earned her Associate of Applied Science in Integrative Health Sciences from ACHS in the spring of 2022. Her education at ACHS has enabled her to build a career in auricular acupuncture, incorporating wellness protocols into her clients’ journeys. She works as a health practitioner at the Vail Valley Wellness Clinic, hosts a weekly community gathering called “Healthy Happy Hour,” and works with fire departments in her area to bring acupuncture and holistic modalities to team members.
Outstanding Graduate Bonnie Pearce earned her Master of Science in Herbal Medicine from ACHS in the spring of 2024. She pursued her degree with the goal of starting an education center and farm for her community. She has plans to expand the products offered at the Hærth Medicinal Farm she and her husband operate. Her recent project, Michigan Protects, focuses on developing relationships with local park and forest districts, land owners, and businesses to protect native medicinal species across Michigan and the Northeast U.S. Bonnie received her certifications from NANP and NAHP and has several other projects in place, including setting up her clinical practice, developing community education opportunities, and launching her very own diabetic wound formula with a supplement company.
“The work our graduates are doing, from innovative research to developing products to discovering new ways to bring wellness to communities, truly inspires optimism for the future. These graduates are bridging traditional medicine with modern science and truly making a global impact.” – Tracey Abell, ACHS President
During the ceremony, Director of Academic Services Prisca Bermudez presented the 2024 Student Service and Leadership Award to Laura McClellan. This award was established in 2023 and honors a student who demonstrated commitment to ACHS through service and leadership. Laura has exemplified these qualities, particularly through her role as a tutor. She dedicated countless hours to assisting her fellow students with their coursework. Laura also offered her expertise, encouragement, and support, acting as a leader in the ACHS community.
Prisca also announced the 2024 Peer Tutor Awards. The Distinguished Peer Tutor Award was presented to Dani Reyes. This award is given to a peer tutor who has excelled in supporting, motivating, mentoring, and engaging students with their coursework. It recognizes those who have helped other students succeed, fostered a sense of belonging, and provided support with grace and compassion. Dani received numerous nominations for this award through peer tutor evaluations. She shared her knowledge and time with many of her peers.
The Rising Star Peer Tutor Award was presented to Belinda Sigstad. This award honors a first-year peer tutor who has shown a strong commitment to excellence and supporting ACHS students. Belinda began meeting with students during her first week at ACHS. Her peers say she takes on projects in a professional, caring, insightful, and forward-thinking manner. She excels in her role as a tutor while also balancing her responsibilities as a full-time student, business owner, parent, and homeschool teacher.
ACHS offers a comprehensive curriculum that spans holistic health, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, nutrition, and more. The curriculum empowers graduates to impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities positively. ACHS provides a range of diverse and innovative programs, which include degrees, certificates, micro-credentials, and professional development courses. Students and graduates gain the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to excel in their chosen integrative healthcare disciplines.
By blending traditional knowledge with emerging practices, ACHS ensures its graduates are well-prepared to tackle the complex challenges in the aromatherapy, herbal medicine, functional nutrition, and wellness industries. ACHS congratulates the class of 2024 once again and wishes them every success in their future endeavors.
About ACHS:
The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), located in Portland, Oregon, is an accredited college specializing in online integrative health and wellness education. Founded in 1978, ACHS offers a range of certificate, diploma, and degree programs in aromatherapy, herbal medicine, functional nutrition, and other complementary alternative medicine disciplines. ACHS is dedicated to providing exceptional online education based on evidence-based research, with an emphasis on sustainability and global stewardship. For questions about this press release or to schedule an interview, please contact Tracey Abell at [email protected].
