Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Fuller – Class of 2016, Radiologic Technology
Jennifer Fuller has always had a passion for people. Married at just 18 and a stay-at-home mom while her husband served in the military, Jennifer put her family first. But as her children grew and began school, she felt a calling—one that would lead her into the field of Radiologic Technology and beyond.
“I was always led to oncology,” Jennifer shares. “Radiation Therapy really spoke to me.”
That passion guided her to Southern Union State Community College, where she enrolled in the Radiologic Technology program. Despite the challenges of raising a family and navigating her husband’s military deployments, Jennifer thrived. With the encouragement of dedicated faculty like Program Director Mary Catherine Herndon and instructor Buddy Glidewell, she persevered—earning the distinction of Most Outstanding Health Sciences Student and graduating with the highest GPA in her class.
“Mary Catherine and Buddy were amazing,” Jennifer says. “They were supportive and encouraging, and really invested in me—not just as a student, but as a person. My husband was deployed for much of my time in the program, but they never let me give up.”
Her degree from Southern Union was just the beginning. Jennifer continued her education at Chattanooga State, earning a degree in Radiation Therapy, and later went on to graduate summa cum laude from Bellevue University with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Dosimetry. Today, she is one of only about 3,500 certified medical dosimetrists in the entire country.
As a dosimetrist, Jennifer plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in patient care. “We design radiation treatment plans,” she explains. “I may not be face-to-face with every patient, but I get to be part of their journey—whether that’s working toward a cure or more precious time with their family. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
A native of Valley, she still lives there with her husband—a fellow Southern Union alum from the Physical Therapy Assistant program—and their three children. Jennifer continues to inspire those around her. Her oldest son is already looking into Southern Union’s health sciences programs, inspired by his mom’s determination and success.
“There’s so much more to the Rad Tech field than people realize,” she says. “I am proud to be an alumna of Southern Union. The college launched me on a career path I’m proud of, and it helped my kids see that you can achieve what you set out to do.”
Donor spotlight: Henry's establish Path to the Plains scholarship
The Southern Union Foundation is proud to announce a generous gift commitment from Blake and Traci Henry to establish the very first scholarship for students in the Path to the Plains (P2P) program at Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC).
This contribution will support second-year P2P students as they prepare for a seamless transfer to Auburn University. Scholarship criteria and award details will be announced at a later date.
Path to the Plains is a concurrent enrollment program offered jointly by SUSCC and Auburn University, designed to provide Alabama students with an affordable and accessible pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree at Auburn after completing their associate’s degree.
Owners of Railroad Investment Group of Opelika, the Henrys are committed to creating lasting, positive change in their community through charitable giving. “Our hope is that this scholarship not only lightens the financial burden for students but also inspires them to chase their dreams with confidence. Investing in education is investing in the future—and we believe the future is bright for every student who walks this path,” they said.
“We are so grateful to Blake and Traci for making lives better for Southern Union students. The establishment of this scholarship underscores the Henrys’ commitment to investing in future generations. It’s a powerful catalyst to allow students to pursue their dreams,” said Gretchen VanValkenburg, Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations at SUSCC.
The Southern Union Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), supports the educational mission of SUSCC by expanding student access through financial aid and funding innovative programs that enhance academic quality.
To learn more about the Southern Union Foundation, visit https://www.suscc.edu/about/foundation-overview. For more information on the Path to the Plains program, visit suscc.edu.