Pitt Nursing undergraduate students have a bright future representing the university at both national and state levels.
Third-year Pitt Nursing student Leah Stone was elected the National Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) East and Chair for the National Student Nursing Assocation (NSNA). As chair, Stone will oversee the committee and work to manage national office candidate campaigning during the national convention next spring.
At the recent NSNA convention in Seattle in spring 2025, Pitt Nursing student Mary Ella McCarthy served on the national board’s Resolutions Committee. Several students attended NSNA this year to present a resolution promoting the effectiveness of global experiences in nursing education.
Third-year student Ann Barney was elected to the role of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania’s (SNAP) Northwest Regional Coordinator on the state organization’s board. Third-year student Ava Meglio, who recently served as president for the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s chapter of the Nursing Student Association (NSA), helped guide Barney through her leadership roles, including NSA secretary and the aforementioned SNAP coordinator position.
“As the Northwest Regional Coordinator for SNAP, I am honored to serve in multiple roles supporting nursing students across Pennsylvania,” says Barney. “I work closely with a dedicated board of directors composed of student nurses from across the state, and my primary responsibility is to engage with schools in the Northwest region—acting as a bridge between the state board and individual school chapters.”
More than two dozen SNAP chapters look to Barney for guidance and leadership. Barney is currently working with two nursing schools in the state to establish new SNAP chapters.
“Through this outreach, I promote membership, encourage participation in regional events and ensure consistent communication with board members and the SNAP President,” says Barney.
With her fellow SNAP leaders, Barney organized Hill Step-by-Step, an event at which students hear directly from legislators in Harrisburg about health care policy. The LEAD Workshop is another SNAP-coordinated event, which promotes leadership and advocacy skills for undergraduates through sessions led by experienced faculty and nurse leaders.
Barney also serves on SNAP’s Finance and Membership Committees, where she collaborates on budget planning and formulates strategies to grow statewide membership.
“This role has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” says Barney. “I’ve learned so much from my peers, mentors and professional consultants who generously share their insights. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the future of nursing in such a meaningful way.”
Beyond her own accomplishments, Barney carries a lot of pride for her fellow Pitt Nursing leaders.
Kayla Honeysett, a recent spring graduate, served as the NSNA Vice President during the 2023-2024 term. She also served as the undergraduate commencement speaker in May.
“[Kayla] gained phenomenal leadership skills on the national level and is such a kind friend; she will make an amazing nurse,” says Barney.
Sophia Espaillat, an incoming third-year undergraduate student, is currently serving on the SNAP board as NEC West. She has worked to recruit other nursing students to run for state office. Espaillat also serves as the professional development chair for the Pitt NSA chapter, in which she focuses on planning conventions and workshops for Pitt undergraduate nursing students.
This upcoming November in Harrisburg, the SNAP Convention will welcome NSNA and SNAP members across the state. Last November, Pitt Nursing sent more than a dozen students to participate in the convention, which included keynote speakers, seminars and many networking opportunities.