FROM PRESCHOOL, TO PROGRAM DIRECTOR Feb. 09, 2026 Valerie Montoya’s full-circle journey with Luna Community College By: Amanda L. Nelson, Marketing & Events Coordinator
to graduate competent, compassionate nurses, even though it is a very rigorous program,” she explains. Valerie also highlights a unique strength of the program. All of the nursing faculty are not only Luna alumnae, but graduates of Luna’s own Nursing Program, a powerful example of giving back and mentoring the next generation. Looking ahead, Valerie recently earned her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and plans to pursue a doctorate. With a strong passion for women’s health and an interest in behavioral health, her long-term goal is to open her own practice and help address provider shortages in the region. “I want to provide accessible, high- quality care and continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of women and families,” she says. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to students. “Watching students transform from shy, quiet nursing students into confident professionals ready for their NCLEX boards reminds me why this work matters,” Valerie shares. For her, giving back means mentoring, supporting others, and strengthening relationships across campus. “When students feel supported, our college thrives. We are a team!” When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Valerie’s answer is simple and heartfelt. “I hope they will say I made a difference, even if it was just in one student’s life. I want to be remembered as someone who cared, supported others, and helped guide students and colleagues to grow and succeed.” From preschooler to nursing leader, Valerie Montoya embodies the spirit of Luna Community College and represents a true Luna Legacy rooted in service, compassion, and community.
Experiences ranging from her son’s time in the NICU, to her mother’s recovery from Guillain- Barré Syndrome, to working in long term care all left a lasting impression. “These experiences shaped my desire to provide care, support, and guidance to patients and families, and now I teach students to do the same,” she shares. Returning to Luna as a student at age 40, after nearly two decades away from school, came with its own challenges. “Navigating college as a nontraditional student was a big adjustment,” Valerie recalls. “But everyone across campus was consistently
Valerie Montoya has been part of Luna Community College for as long as she can remember, starting in preschool and now serving as Interim Nursing Director. Her journey from student to leader is a story of dedication, perseverance, and giving back to the community
that helped shape her path. Some of Valerie’s earliest
memories of Luna are simple yet unforgettable. She remembers standing on a stool to brush her teeth, sitting in a circle singing, making Christmas chains, and performing in the holiday play as an angel with wings and a halo. “But my most memorable moment was graduation, wearing caps and gowns and
When students feel supported, our college thrives. We are a team!
supportive. That guidance made a lasting impact on me, and now I am proud to support and guide students the same way I was supported.”
Her journey came full circle when she returned to Luna as an instructor and later stepped into the role of Interim Nursing Director. “It is incredible to return to the place where my journey began and now have the opportunity to guide and inspire students,” she says. While the leadership role is fast paced and demanding, Valerie credits a strong, collaborative team for making the transition both manageable and rewarding. She is especially proud of the Nursing Program and its continued reputation for excellence. “We strive
celebrating our accomplishments,” she says. Although she never imagined herself returning to Luna to lead the Nursing Program, Valerie always knew she wanted a career in healthcare. That path officially began at Luna, where she completed the Practical Nursing Program in 2009. She went on to earn her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2011, becoming a Registered Nurse and launching her professional nursing career. Valerie’s calling to nursing was deeply personal.
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