North Central State College Names Stacy Pope as 2025 Alumnus of the Year
North Central State College is proud to recognize Stacy Pope, MSN, RN, as its 2025 Alumnus of the Year. Pope, a two-time graduate of NCSC, is being recognized for her distinguished nursing career, her leadership in advancing nursing excellence, and her deep-rooted commitment to education and community service.
She was honored at the North Central State College Foundation’s 26th annual Scholarship Luncheon & Program on Thursday, October 2, at the Ralph Phillips Conference Center – James W. Kehoe Center in Shelby.
Pope’s journey into nursing began in an unexpected way. In 1995, at just 19 years old, she accepted a position as a home care aide, unsure of her long-term goals. Her first client, Wilma, was a terminal liver cancer patient who needed companionship more than care. “We watched baseball games and shared stories. She just needed someone to be there,” Pope said. “When she passed away quietly with me at her side, I knew I had found my calling.”
Pope enrolled at North Central State College, despite facing academic hurdles and limited family experience with higher education. “I didn’t have study skills or confidence,” she recalled. “But NCSC gave me the tools and encouragement to succeed.” She graduated from the Practical Nursing program in 1999 and returned to complete the Associate Degree in Nursing in 2011.
Now celebrating 25 years with OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals, Pope has held roles in Med-Surg, Obstetrics, Hospice, and Labor and Delivery. Today, she serves as Manager of Nursing Excellence, where she helped lead OhioHealth Mansfield to its first Magnet® designation in 2023—an elite national recognition of excellence in nursing.
Pope is also known for her dedication to professional development, mentoring new nurses and helping staff navigate career pathways. She partners with NCSC to expand access to nursing education for OhioHealth associates, often asking graduates, “What’s next?” to inspire lifelong learning.
“North Central didn’t just give me a nursing degree—it gave me a future,” said Pope. “And that future has allowed me to give back to my community in ways I never imagined.”
Pope lives in Crestline, Ohio, with her husband, Eric. She credits NCSC not only for her success, but also for inspiring her mother and sister to pursue healthcare degrees—making nursing a legacy in her family.
North Central State College is proud to honor Stacy Pope for her resilience, leadership, and lifelong commitment to caring for others.