Dr. Ardel Avelino
I immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of ten and grew up in Long Beach, attending Stanford Middle School and Lakewood High School. My academic journey began at Long Beach City College, where I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing, laying the foundation for a rewarding career in healthcare leadership. I later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Doctorate in Nursing and Executive Leadership.
My calling to nursing began early—and under extraordinary circumstances. After surviving a tragic house fire at age ten, I experienced firsthand the compassion and skill of nurses who cared for me through severe burns and smoke inhalation. Inspired by their dedication—and encouraged by a middle school nurse who became my mentor, I committed my life to the profession and chose LBCC for its outstanding reputation, rigorous curriculum, and exceptional faculty.
In my firsthand experience, LBCC is a premier institution that truly lives up to its mission, vision, and values. It empowers students through a supportive, collaborative environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I was glad to return to LBCC as a preceptor, and I spent nearly ten years as an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor in the RN program, served on the Health and Science Department Advisory Board, and later joined the LBCC Foundation’s Board of Governors and Scholarship Committee.
I was honored to be inducted the LBCC Hall of Fame in 2022. For the benefit of future generations of students, I established an endowed scholarship and recently chaired a successful alumni nursing campaign that raised more than $500,000 to support future nurses.