THE MARK-MELLIAR SMITH LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Mark Melliar-Smith Leadership Award is given to individuals who exemplify integrity, inspire others, and create positive change in their communities.

This year’s honoree, Victoria Jaimes, embodies these qualities and more. Her journey has been one of resilience, growth, and unwavering dedication. After overcoming personal challenges and setbacks, she recommitted herself to education with a clear vision for her future and her family’s well-being. Throughout her time in the nursing program, she has demonstrated leadership both inside and outside the classroom.

Victoria took a leap of faith 3 years ago when she signed up to join our limited BSN cohort in partnership with the City of Austin and Concordia University. Victoria has not only excelled academically, graduating cum laude from Concordia University and earning a place on the Dean’s List for three semesters, but she has also consistently supported her peers. Whether as Vice President of the Student Nurses Association or as a guest speaker and mentor to fellow students, Victoria has been a source of inspiration and strength.

Her commitment to professional growth is remarkable. She has already made an impact in her field, with specialized training and a new graduate nurse role created specifically for her in the Cardiovascular Operating Room at St. David’s Round Rock. Congratulations, Victoria.

VICTORIA JAIMES’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Thank you so much for this incredible honor to receive the Leadership Award in honor of Mark Melliar-Smith. This recognition means a great deal to me. My journey has always been about doing more, being more, and developing as a leader.

For me, leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow with you. It’s about showing up for those who rely on you, taking responsibility for your own growth, and helping others along the way. This mindset has shaped my entire path—from my decision to return to school to how I’ve supported my family and peers.

Before joining Capital IDEA, I faced many challenges. Balancing family responsibilities with limited resources often made my goals feel unreachable. I enrolled in college several times, but each experience taught me perseverance. As a stay-at-home mother for 11 years, I realized that leadership starts with taking responsibility for your own growth, especially in difficult circumstances. I knew that education was key to breaking through barriers for my family and me.

In 2019, I began taking online courses, and in June 2020, I discovered Capital IDEA. The program was exactly what I had been searching for. It covered tuition, books, childcare, and more, which allowed me to focus fully on my studies. My career navigator, Sara Hernandez, was instrumental in helping me navigate the program and connect with the BSN program at Concordia University Texas.

I want to acknowledge my husband, Feliciano Jaimes. His unwavering support has been essential in making this achievement possible. He is my rock and has always been there for me. Chano is a natural leader who never gives up; his optimism and sincerity have been a constant source of strength for me. He stepped back from his own career to care for our children so I could focus on my studies. He taught me you are who you choose to be. I could not have done this without him. He is Superman.

My family has been my greatest support and my biggest source of inspiration. My children, Feliciano, Benicio, Ambellina, and Aurelio are my ‘why.’ They inspire me every day, and I hope my example encourages them to pursue their own dreams.

I also want to thank my mother, Elizabeth Sames, who instilled in me the value of education and being your own champion. Her high expectations shape who I am today. She taught me that leadership is about setting high standards for yourself and others and always striving for excellence.

While in college, I joined organizations like Sigma Tau Delta and mentored others. Whether by sharing study strategies with fellow nursing students or stepping into roles like Vice President of the Student Nurses Association, these experiences taught me that leadership is about supporting your peers and ensuring their success as much as your own.

Since becoming a nurse extern at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center in 2023, I’ve had the opportunity to grow even further. In 2024, I was accepted into St. David’s ASES program run by the impressive and indomitable Beth Vaughn, where I spent 237 hours in the operating room. A new grad nurse position was created for me in the cardiovascular operating room in a field that didn’t originally have one.

Graduating cum laude with my BSN while raising a family was incredibly challenging, but it was also immensely rewarding. My youngest was six months old when I entered the nursing program, and I learned while toting a cooler and breast pump to class that leadership is not about titles or authority. It’s about being present, patient, and persistent, no matter the obstacles. It’s about inspiring others and lifting up your community.

This award reflects not just my efforts but also the belief and support of a community that saw my potential. As I begin my nursing career, I am excited to give back to that community and inspire others to pursue their own dreams.

Thank you to Capital IDEA, my husband, children, my mother, my mentors, and everyone who has supported me along the way. To my fellow graduates and future leaders, let’s continue to support one another and make a difference in our communities.