Neuroscience Research to Registered Nurse

The day after graduating from Washington, Genevieve Kozub ’25 was already beginning her next chapter. After four years of balancing neuroscience research, collegiate softball, campus leadership, and community advocacy, Kozub entered Villanova University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program ready for the challenge ahead.

 

A psychology major with a concentration in behavioral neuroscience and minors in biology and public health, Kozub says the relationships she built at the College have transformed her confidence and her approach to learning.

“Having small classes where my professors actually knew me and cared about my success meant everything,” Kozub said. “The professors were the reason I started to truly love learning and enjoy studying.”

Kozub recounted her struggles with motivation and self-confidence early in her education. That changed through mentorship from faculty members who encouraged her to push herself academically and personally. 

“I began to believe in myself more than ever before, that I could be the student I knew I was capable of being,” Kozub said. “The learner I am today would not exist without the Washington College professors, and they absolutely prepared me for the demands of nursing school and a future career in nursing.”

Those experiences helped prepare her for the fast pace and rigor of nursing school, but Kozub’s growth at Washington went beyond the classroom. 

Outside of academics, Kozub became deeply involved in student leadership and community engagement. One of her most meaningful accomplishments was helping re-establish Washington’s chapter of Best Buddies, a nationwide organization dedicated to building friendships between individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and students and community members. Serving as president from 2023 to 2025, Kozub worked to resume meetings, organize events, and rebuild the chapter after it had become inactive during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“My friendships with Best Buddies members really reshaped how I view relationships, quality time, and just being present with other people,” Kozub said.

Kozub also served as secretary and later vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while balancing the demands of being a four-year member of the College’s varsity softball team. During her senior year, she served as team captain, an experience she says shaped many of the skills she now relies on in clinical and academic settings. 

“I learned so much about grit, teamwork, communication, conflict management, and discipline,” she said. “Those skills have already been paying off in my academic and clinical experiences throughout nursing school.”

Her undergraduate research also became another defining part of her time at Washington. For her Senior Capstone Experience (SCE), Kozub conducted an original study examining the effects of chronic early-life stress on adolescent and adult rat behavior. Working under the guidance of Cindy Gibson, associate professor of psychology, and Dan Kochli, assistant professor of psychology, she designed and conducted behavioral experiments over six months using Sprague-Dawley rats bred specifically for the project.

The project required Kozub to develop study protocols, build experimental equipment, and analyze behavioral patterns. Kozub presented her findings publicly at both the College’s SCE presentations and the Eastern Psychological Association conference in New York City.

“I’m still blown away that a school as small as Washington College gave me the opportunity to do such a big project,” Kozub said.

Beyond technical research skills, the experience also influenced her perspective on healthcare and patient treatment.

“Studying how early-life stress impacts behavior across the lifespan deepened my understanding of how trauma can influence lifelong behavior,” she said. “That directly informs my current nursing education and future practice as an RN.”

Looking back on her time at Washington, Kozub says the relationships she formed remain one of the most meaningful parts of her college experience.

“I have made lifelong friends throughout my time at WAC that have been there for me in all the highs and lows of life as a student-athlete,” she said. “I learned how to push myself in all aspects of my life, while still giving myself grace when needed.”

For students considering Washington, Kozub believes the opportunities available are shaped largely by what students are willing to pursue.

“This school is small but mighty,” she said. “There is so much to take advantage of while you're here. Put yourself out there and expect more from yourself and your college experience.”

As she continues her path toward becoming a registered nurse, Kozub carries forward the lessons she learned through research, leadership, athletic, and service experiences that helped shape both her career goals and the person she has become. 

—Andraya Sudler '26