PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 20, 2025) – Prairie View A&M University senior Willie Harrison Burnett III is the first in his family to attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and to go into healthcare. And he joined a very select group of Black male nurses nationwide when he graduated this May.
Willie Harrison Burnett III ’25
“That journey has meant breaking barriers and creating a path that didn’t exist before me, and PVAMU gave me the foundation and support to do just that,” he said. “My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has fueled my drive to succeed and be a role model for others.”
Representation matters, Burnett said. And knowing he has joined the small but growing number of Black male nurses in the U.S. is a source of pride and affirmation for him.
“I chose Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing because of its strong reputation for producing skilled, compassionate nurses, and its deep legacy of service, leadership, and cultural pride,” Burnett said. “I come from a family that has experienced a lot of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, and witnessing that growing up inspired me to pursue nursing, and now I’m proud to be the first person in my family to enter the medical field.”
He said that choosing nursing was a natural progression of turning his personal experience into a professional purpose.
On campus, he volunteered and served in various leadership and mentorship roles, including serving as a student counselor in the CON Summer BRIDGE Program and as a Student Government Association Senator for the College of Nursing. He also found community and a sense of belonging with Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
From Men Achieving Leadership Excellence (M.A.L.E.) and Brothers Leading and Cultivating Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) to the PVAMU Honors Program, Burnett has already stored up extensive professional and leadership experience, including internships at UT Southwestern Medical Center and at Houston Methodist Hospital.
“The support I’ve received from faculty, the strong clinical experiences, and the friendships I’ve built have shaped me into a nurse who’s confident, compassionate, and ready to lead,” Burnett said. “Being a male nursing student comes with its challenges, but I’ve used my experience to break down barriers and advocate for more diversity in healthcare.”
Those around PVAMU who know him call him charismatic and a gentleman.
“I am so proud of how he dedicated himself to ensure academic and professional success,” said Dr. Antonea’ Jackson, who served as his faculty mentor during senior year. “Will represents the rich legacy of PV nurses, and the public is safer with him providing care.”
Post-graduation, Burnett has accepted a position at Texas Children’s Hospital in the Hematology/Oncology unit at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
“This opportunity is extremely meaningful to me, especially considering my family’s health history,” he said. “It feels like a full-circle moment to be able to care for others in the same kinds of situations I saw my loved ones go through.”
Down the line, he plans to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, serving underserved communities and mentoring young men who want to pursue careers in healthcare but may not see themselves represented in the workforce.
“I’m passionate about health equity, mentorship, and being a role model for young men of color in healthcare,” said Burnett, who hopes to eventually go into teaching to give back to the nursing profession through education and advocacy. “I hope my journey inspires others to push forward and follow their calling.”
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
By Christine Won
-PVAMU-