By Laura Gasque

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing student Alycia Goodson, BSN, RN, is the recipient of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners 2025 Student Excellence Award. The award recognizes an emergency nurse practitioner student who demonstrates excellence in professionalism, academic endeavors and community service, and displays leadership and collaboration within an academic peer group and in clinical settings.

Goodson is a nurse in Nashville, Tennessee and is completing the School’s MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty as well as the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Subspecialty.

“It is a true honor to receive the Student Excellence Award,” Goodson said. “I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition, and I want to thank my teachers, mentors and family for their constant support and encouragement. This award is not just a reflection of my hard work, but also of the people who believed in me and challenged me to grow. To future students: keep striving, stay curious and don’t be afraid of setbacks—they often lead to the greatest growth.”

Associate Professor Melanie Gibbons Hallman, DNP, CRNP, CNS, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, ENP-C, FAEN, FAANP, FAAN (BSN 1983, MSN 1990, MSN 1995, DNP 2012), is a founding member and current President of AAENP and served as one of Goodson’s faculty throughout her ENP subspecialty studies.

“This a highly competitive award,” Hallman said. “We are honored that Alycia chose UAB for her FNP and ENP studies. She is an exceptional student, always professional and impeccable in her studies, with a thirst for knowledge and excellence in patient care. Her ability to simultaneously navigate two nurse practitioner programs while continuing to work as an emergency nurse is impressive. I am certain that in the near future she will achieve greatness as an emergency provider and also as a professional nurse leader.”