Born and raised in Anchorage, with family roots in the Philippines, Edgar “Clyde” Urbi Mapili is earning his Associate’s Degree in Nursing at Alaska Pacific University. Outside of the classroom, Clyde enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends, and getting outdoors through hiking and biking.

Clyde’s path to nursing wasn’t a straightforward one. Initially considering electrical engineering while attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, he admits he once “avoided nursing like fire.” But after encouragement from his mom, a nurse herself, and recognizing his own interest in working with people, Clyde made the leap to APU’s nursing program. What drew him in was both the human connection at the heart of healthcare and APU’s strong outcomes, including one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state. “With healthcare, you get to help somebody during their darkest time and nurse them back to health,” he says. “I love that part—making a difference.”

At APU, Clyde has found a supportive and close-knit community that’s helped him thrive. He values the flexibility of campus spaces for late-night study sessions and the accessibility of faculty who are always willing to help. “The coursework is hard, but my cohort is all going through it together,” he says. “We’re able to bounce ideas off each other, and that makes a huge difference.” Some of his favorite moments have come from hands-on simulations and group assignments, where collaboration and humor go hand in hand. “We make up funny jokes to remember things. It’s a great way to bond.”

Reflecting on his time in the program, Clyde is especially proud of how much he and his classmates have grown. “The human body is amazing, and I’ve learned so much about health,” he says. “I’ve seen incredible growth in myself and in everyone in my cohort.”

After graduation, Clyde will begin working in the Progressive Care Unit at the Alaska Native Medical Center, with plans to complete his NCLEX as soon as possible. Looking ahead, he hopes to return to school to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

His advice for future students is simple but powerful: “Just keep going. Life happens, but if this is what you really want, don’t give up.”

Clyde highly recommends APU’s nursing program to anyone considering the field—proof of just how far he’s come since first discovering his passion for nursing.