Afaf Saleh credits mentor Suzanne Burke Lehman for nursing school success

Afaf Saleh, a public health nurse in Minnesota, told NPR’s StoryCorps that she almost dropped out of nursing school in 2018. The interview, recorded in Minneapolis, revealed that a critical moment of doubt led her to reach out to her college mentor, Suzanne Burke Lehman, who would later become dean of St. Catherine University’s School of Nursing. Saleh’s story is a reminder that even future leaders can hit a breaking point when the weight of work and family falls on one person’s shoulders.

Saleh was a 22‑year‑old student, working full time and caring for seven siblings and an ailing mother. She struggled to keep up with coursework and financial paperwork. When she failed a required class, she learned she might be dismissed from the program. Saleh turned to prayer and then wrote an emotional appeal to her professors, explaining the many responsibilities she carried. The appeal was a turning point, but she still needed a mentor’s support to navigate the appeals process and keep her hopes alive. Lehman, who had faced similar pressures in her youth, recognized Saleh’s determination and offered guidance, saying she saw herself in the student’s eyes. Lehman’s own experience of learning to ask for help shaped her encouragement, and she reminded Saleh that asking for support is not a sign of weakness.

The intervention paid off. Saleh’s appeal was successful, and she returned to school. She finished her nursing degree at the top of her class, a surprising achievement for someone who once felt invisible among a hundred students. Saleh credits Lehman’s compassion for her success, saying the mentor’s belief in her helped her believe in herself. Lehman, now a dean, highlights that nursing education is not about perfect grades but about cultivating compassion. She praised Saleh’s kindness and the “never‑ending gift” she brings to the profession, a quality that benefits patients and colleagues alike.

Saleh’s experience underscores the importance of mentorship and emotional support in demanding careers. As a public health nurse, she now serves communities in Minnesota, applying the resilience she built during her studies. The StoryCorps interview, archived at the Library of Congress, serves as a public record of how a single conversation can change a career path. The story is a call for institutions to foster supportive environments where students feel seen and heard, ensuring that future nurses are not only skilled but also compassionate.