NOVA grad donates $1 million to the NOVA Foundation

Howe

When Debra Coffman Howe was a nursing student at Northern Virginia Community College and struggling to afford the tuition, she was helped by an anonymous donor. Now she’s a healthcare executive and committed $1 million to the college, the NOVA Foundation announced April 2.

Howe’s gift supplements her existing endowed scholarship fund for NOVA nursing students. The NOVA Foundation provide scholarships, emergency aid grants, and other support for academic programs and student services.

Supporting NOVA nursing is more important than ever given the coronavirus pandemic, the NOVA Foundation states. Howe has also generously donated to the NOVA COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Fund.

The NOVA COVID-19 fund was established in March to help students who lost their jobs or are facing other personal and economic hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When Howe was a student at NOVA, she reached a point where she could no longer afford to finish her associate degree in science and told a nursing instructor she had to postpone her education.

Within days, she was notified that her current year tuition and books had been paid for by an anonymous donor. She was put in contact with the NOVA financial aid office and the NOVA Foundation, and with their help, received grants, scholarships, loans, and even a part-time job.

Howe was able to complete her studies and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree from St. Joseph University in Windham, Maine, and have a successful career in healthcare focusing on seniors and long-term care.

Currently based in Palm Beach, Fla., Howe is the managing partner and president of Airamid Health Services, as well as Kaine Financial Services.

“I was able to fulfill my dreams thanks to the dedicated faculty, staff, and donors at NOVA. I will never forget the relief and gratitude for those who allowed me to focus on moving forward,” Howe says. “NOVA was truly my launching pad to a very successful career in healthcare, and I am happy that I am now in a position to give back to other hardworking and focused NOVA students.”