Alumna creates endowment to support single parents pursuing nursing

The Cerritos College Foundation announced that alumna Sharon Reichle created an endowment to fund scholarships for single-parent students in the nursing program.

Reichle committed $125,000 to be paid over the next five years and $25,000 yearly thereafter until her death. She has also included the Cerritos College Foundation in her estate plan.

Reichle’s nursing career began after graduating from Cerritos College in 1968 as part of the inaugural nursing class. Following a five-year absence from nursing for two back surgeries and three pregnancies, she completed a refresher course at Golden West College.

After beginning her career as a surgical floor nurse at Pacifica Hospital in Huntington Beach, she moved on to various roles in the healthcare industry, earning promotions and taking on increased responsibilities.

She worked at FHP Health Plan as a utilization and quality management supervisor before eventually starting her consulting firm, Care Continuum, Inc., specializing in medical management implementation.

Reichle created the endowment for single-parent students based on her life experience of having been a single parent for 18 years with no alimony or child support.

“I know firsthand that any little bit helps,”she said. “I hope this endowment helps and inspires single-parent nursing students and other alumni to pay it forward.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this incredible gift to the Cerritos College nursing program,” said Dr. Elizabeth Riley, dean of the health occupations division.

“Sharon is such an inspiration to our nursing students, especially those who are single parents. As a member of our inaugural nursing class of 1968, Sharon is part of our history, and with this gift, now she is a part of our future as well.”