“Culminating the art of care and compassion through the synergy of mind, body, and spirit” is both the foundation of Syreeta Drake’s nursing philosophy and the guiding principle of her career. A tenured full-time Nursing & Health Careers Instructor at Montcalm Community College,  Syreeta blends academic rigor with a deeply human approach to teaching, ensuring that her students graduate with both the knowledge and the compassion necessary for competent, safe, and transformative nursing practice.

Her teaching focus centers on translating theory into practice — helping students not just memorize concepts but apply them through critical thinking and clinical judgment. “Skills can be taught,” Syreeta notes, “but caring and compassion — those must be cultivated.”

Syreeta’s nursing journey began after caring for her late mother during a traumatic illness. Witnessing the skill and empathy of the nurses who supported them inspired her to pursue nursing herself. She earned her Licensed Practical Nurse credential from Grand Rapids Community College, working for six years before returning to complete her Associate Degree in Nursing. She then obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University and a Master of Science in Nursing Education, paving the way for her teaching career. Due to the mental health crisis and needs of the community, she obtained a post-master’s certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Starting as an adjunct instructor at MCC in 2019, Syreeta joined the full-time faculty later that year and has since become a leader in curriculum innovation, experiential learning design, and student mentorship.

Beyond the classroom, Syreeta is an active member of the National Black Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and multiple professional and community health organizations. She is also the founder of Cerebral Connections, an organization dedicated to mental health education, group and individual therapy, support groups, and medication management. A published author working on her second book, Syreeta uses her voice to inspire, educate, and advocate for equity in health care.

Whether guiding students through complex nursing concepts, leading mental wellness workshops, or writing about resilience and healing, Syreeta’s passion remains the same — empowering others to care for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.