There are weeks that change everything. For Zufan Debebe, the second week of May was one of them.
After more than a decade of caring for others as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Mount Vernon Nursing Home in Alexandria, Debebe was officially pinned as a nurse — the realization of a dream she held close through years of long shifts, hard work, and quiet determination. A graduate of Germanna Community College and the *Potomac Health Foundation Fellows program, she didn’t just arrive at this moment. She earned it, step by step.
And she didn’t do it alone.
Debebe immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia, following her husband, who had arrived seven months earlier as a refugee. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, gratitude, and an unshakable belief in what was possible, a belief that was on full display during her pinning ceremony. Coincidentally, her husband was awarded a PhD in International Relations from Virginia Tech the next day and her son crossed the stage at the University of Virginia a few days later with a degree in Computer Science.
Three graduations. One extraordinary family. One unforgettable week.
Lifting Others as She Climbed
Throughout her time in the Fellows program, Debebe chose to spend her required community service hours doing what comes naturally to her — lifting others up. Through a workplace-based mentoring program, she guided fellow CNAs at Germanna and Northern Virginia Community Colleges as they explored pathways to becoming Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses. She knew the road ahead of them because she had walked it herself, and she made sure they didn’t have to walk it alone.
Her Words Say It Best
When asked about her journey, Debebe’s response was as gracious as it was moving.
“Our story is a story of thanksgiving to God and to all the people he brought our way to support us in one form or another,” she said. “We are very grateful.”
She and her husband have discussed the possibility of writing a book aimed at encouraging others, inspiring those who are still finding their footing, and to remind Americans of the remarkable country they call home.
if you are interested in applying for the Fellows program, visit to learn more and apply: VFCCE Fellows Program – Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
*The Potomac Health Foundation Fellows program is administered by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.
