We are honored to count Dr. Jemal Umer amongst the graduates of Aspen University! Jemal completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice program in April 2025. Keep reading to learn about his persistence through a tumultuous educational journey and his accomplishments along the way.
I am proud to be the first in my family to complete high school. After graduation, I enrolled in a university in Ethiopia. Political unrest erupted across the country during my first semester. I joined my fellow university students in protesting against the government’s human rights violations.
The government’s response was brutal, cracking down on peaceful demonstrators with violence, arrests, and imprisonment. Fortunately, along with many fellow students, I managed to escape imprisonment and fled to a neighboring country, where I sought asylum. Eventually, I immigrated to Canada to rebuild my life.
Restarting my academic journey in Canada was both incredibly challenging and deeply rewarding. Today, I serve as a Director of Care and Manager at a healthcare facility, while running my own private company and raising a family. It hasn’t been an easy path, but I am proud to have completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
I am also incredibly honored and excited to have been nominated to the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), one of the largest leadership honor societies in the United States, which recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, academic achievement, and commitment to personal growth. In addition, I was deeply humbled to be inducted into the Delta Epsilon Tau National Honor Society, which is reserved for high-achieving students in distance learning programs who have demonstrated academic excellence and perseverance. These recognitions are a testament to the hard work, resilience, and dedication that have shaped my journey.
Looking ahead, I plan to open my own medical clinic in Canada to better serve the community that welcomed me.