Saipan daughter gets into BSU Respiratory Care program

Saipan Southern High School alumna Keisha Deleon Guerrero has been accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program at Boise State University.

The 20-year-old is the daughter of Joaquin and Maria Flor Deleon Guerrero of Chalan Kiya, Saipan. She is currently in her third year at BSU and is on the dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2023 semester.

“I feel so blessed and excited for being accepted into the Respiratory Care program. I have spent quite some time thinking about what career path I wanted to pursue and I am glad that I found respiratory care. It was definitely really emotional for me because studying abroad and not being close to family was really difficult. I was really nervous because this program is highly competitive and many have reapplied to the program in order to get in. Overall, I am so relieved that I was able to get into the program on my first try and get started in fall 2024,” she said.

Deleon Guerrero thanked her family and significant other, Leo Naraja, for their support in achieving her academic goals.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for always being there to motivate and support me. I am also really grateful for my partner, Leo, and his family for their support while going to BSU in Idaho. Although it was hard being miles away from family and friends, I am glad that I was able to achieve this major accomplishment for myself and my home.”

BSU’s Respiratory Care program takes up to three years to complete and provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills required to function competently as a registry-eligible respiratory therapist. The program is highly competitive and one of the best respiratory programs in Idaho. BSU’s respiratory program surpasses the national average for TMC high cut score, job placement, graduate and employer satisfaction.

Only 26 students are accepted in BSU’s Respiratory Care program each fall semester. A BSU Respiratory Care program applicant must complete a pre-professional year that can take 2-3 semesters to finish. The program also requires that math and science classes must be completed with a “B” or better.

Applicants must submit an application and selected students may be contacted to schedule an interview. Letters of acceptance are sent to the applicants who rank the highest.