KCON Jonas Scholars Leda Evans and Rachel Cardosa

KCON Jonas Scholars, Leda Evans and Rachel Cardosa, at 2015 Jonas Scholar Conference held in Washington D.C.

“I felt incredibility honored to be surrounded by DNP and PhD students from prestigious universities across the country,” said Leda Evans, recent Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate of her experience at the 2015 Jonas Scholar Conference held in Washington D.C.

In 2014, Evans was selected as one of two KCON scholars supported by the Jonas Center with financial assistance, leadership development and networking opportunities.  The Jonas Nurse Scholar program supports doctoral nursing students pursing both PhD and DNP degrees.  The Jonas Center aims to increase the number of doctorally-prepared faculty available to teach in nursing schools nationwide, as well as the number of advanced practice nurses providing direct patient care.

“My leadership project for the Jonas Scholar program entailed working with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Department of Health Policy on a professional issues panel examining Barriers to RN Scope of Practice. There was tremendous opportunity to learn more about policy and to expand my network of professional connections through this experience,” said Evans. 

The Kirkhof College of Nursing Jonas Scholars join more than 1,000 future nurse educators and leaders at 140 universities across all 50 states supported by Jonas Center programs, the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholars Program and Jonas Veterans Healthcare Programs.

“The Jonas Center grants offer extraordinary financial support as well as significant professional opportunity for the selected doctoral students.  To receive these awards is a great honor as it acknowledges the rigor of our program and the caliber of our doctoral students.  Leda is a wonderful exemplar of the transformational excellence that is the hallmark of our college”, said Cynthia McCurren, dean and professor with the Kirkhof College of Nursing. 

In January 2016, KCON learned it would receive Jonas Scholarships for a second time.  This grant will support one DNP Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar and one DNP Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholar with a $10,000 scholarship for each with matching funds provided by KCON.

“Pursuing a DNP degree requires personal and professional sacrifices, but you’ll never look back on the journey and regret having completed it.  The Jonas Scholar experience has truly pushed me to aspire to do more,” shared Evans.

Evans graduated from KCON’s DNP program in April 2016 and is considering several career options for the future.  

For more information on KCON's academic programs, please visit www.gvsu.edu/kcon.

For more information on the Jonas Center, please visit www.jonascenter.org.



Page last modified May 27, 2016