August 12, 2025
Linda Hoover’s scholarship aids JCCC nursing student Lisa Le.
In 1987, Linda Hoover was at a crossroads. Having successfully raised four sons, she faced a new challenge; deciding what was next.
Her youngest son suggested she return to school. Since she was in her 40s, Linda felt a bit apprehensive about entering college as a non-traditional student.
“I decided to try one evening class at JCCC to see how I fit in with the young people,” she said. “To my surprise, there were students of all ages, and I fit in.”
Comfortable with continuing her education, Linda opted for a degree program that carried significant meaning to her.
“My second son sustained a traumatic brain injury from an automobile accident while he was away in college,” she said. “I spent much time with him in the hospital, leading to me entertaining the idea of becoming a nurse.”
JCCC’s two-year Registered Nursing (RN) program sold her on the career path. Not only could she attend classes in a welcoming environment, but she would also complete her degree by the milestone age of 50.
JCCC scholarships help you achieve your dreams
Finances can often be a barrier to returning to school. In addition to financial aid and grants, JCCC awards millions of dollars in scholarships every year to qualified JCCC students. Linda was one of those scholarship recipients.
“I received a one-time scholarship while at JCCC,” she said. “And believe me, it made a difference.”
With encouragement from her children, friends, and the JCCC community, Linda graduated two years after beginning her nursing program, and immediately passed State Boards, becoming a Registered Nurse.
“I had a full-time job that I absolutely loved,” said Linda. “I worked as a cardiac care nurse in the same hospital for 22 years.”
Giving back to the next generation of nursing students
Knowing how a JCCC scholarship benefited her educational journey, Linda decided to establish a scholarship for nurses.
“As we all know, we always need good nurses,” she said. “And if I can help just one little bit, it’s a feel-good moment.”
Linda reached out to the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas to see what the options were for establishing an endowed nursing scholarship. After a few calls and meetings, the Linda A. Hoover Nursing Scholarship Fund was established.
Each year, a committee of three people, chosen by Linda, select the recipient of her scholarship. The award is open to anyone pursuing their RN who plans to attend either Donnelly College, University of Saint Mary, Rockhurst University, Benedictine College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, or Johnson County Community College. This year, in a full-circle moment, JCCC nursing student Lisa Le was chosen.
“The scholarship embodies the very essence of what nursing means to me: paying forward acts of compassion and care,” said Lisa. “Knowing that Linda herself was once a scholarship recipient who later established this fund to help others inspires me to approach my studies with renewed purpose. Her story reminds me that nursing is not just a career—it's a calling to serve others.”
In addition to studying nursing, Lisa also works for JCCC’s two programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: CLEAR (College Learning Experiences, Activities and Resources) as an aide and CONNECT as a mentor. She also served as Vice President of Services for Phi Theta Kappa and received STEM Poster Symposium scholarships for two consecutive years.
“Both my mentoring and research experiences demonstrate my commitment to service, learning, and excellence,” said Lisa. “Those are values that I will carry forward into my nursing career and eventually pass on to others, just as Linda A. Hoover has done through her scholarship legacy.”
After graduation, Lisa hopes to become an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, where she can support patients and families during life’s most critical transitions.
“My passion for ICU nursing stems from my volunteer experiences with Faith Home Health and Hospice, where I learned that caregiving extends far beyond clinical tasks,” she said. “Ultimately, regardless of the specific unit where I practice, my goal remains constant: to be the kind of nurse who makes a lasting impact by combining clinical expertise with genuine human connection.”
Linda was thrilled to see her efforts support the education of a JCCC nursing student just like her.
“I am so delighted that a JCCC student was chosen this year,” she said. “I would have chosen her if I were on the committee, too!”
Start here, go anywhere with JCCC!
JCCC has a variety of ways to help you pay for college. See what we have to offer, and apply today!