Barbara Rood Award Winner Roach Takes Different Path to Owens Graduation

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Following a path like many other people, April Roach went directly from high school graduate to college student. However, life took Roach in a different direction and she didn’t finish her bachelor’s degree.

Now 35 years after leaving school to start a family, Roach will graduate with her associate degree in Registered Nursing at Owens Community College while also being named at Barbara Rood Student Choice Award winner from the Findlay-area Campus.

Roach, of Forest, met her husband, Cory, at Bluffton College, where she was studying voice performance and psychology. She left Bluffton after the second quarter of her sophomore year.

Over the years, she’s worked in various medical offices and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2003.

“I am fascinated by all things medical, so 2 ½ years ago, I decided to go to Owens for nursing,” Roach said.

Roach credited a strong support system for her success, including her husband, parents, sisters, friends and former coworkers. She also said assistant professor Jacqueline Heilmann made Roach excited to be a nurse from day one.

“I would say the only obstacle during my nursing education is my now 49-year-old brain does not remember or memorize information the way my younger brain used to,” Roach said.

After graduation, Roach hopes to work as a surgical nurse while pursuing a dream of becoming a travel nurse.