Driving Precision Health Integration into Nursing Practice
March 12, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
This webinar is hosted by AACN’s Research Leadership Network (RLN).
Webinar Details
Precision Health is an innovative and personalized approach to healthcare tailored to the individual. It draws on unique genomic information alongside socioeconomic and cultural influence, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors to support individualized, person-centered care.
Although Precision Health has led to significant advancements in healthcare, its adoption within nursing practice remains limited. A major barrier to integration is the absence of clear implementation guidelines. Nurses generally recognize the value of Precision Health in enhancing person-centered care and support its inclusion in nursing practice; however, confidence in how to effectively integrate it remains comparatively low.
This webinar is hosted by AACN’s Research Leadership Network (RLN).
- Participants will be able to explain what Precision Health is and discuss its advantages for person-centered care.
- Participants will be able to identify the current barriers to integrating Precision Health into nursing practice, including the lack of clear implementation guidelines and limited confidence among nurses.
- Participants will be able to reflect on and describe ways to incorporate Precision Health principles into their own nursing practice.
Speakers
Speakers
Evangeline Fangonil-Gagalang, PhD, MSN, RN
Associate Dean & Associate Professor
Azusa Pacific University
President
California Association of Colleges of Nursing
Precision Health & Genomics Work Group Co-Chair
American Nurses Association
Dr. Evangeline Fangonil-Gagalang is Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University in California, with over 25 years of nursing experience in medical-surgical and emergency care. She is President of the California Association of Colleges of Nursing and formerly chaired the Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Committee of the Association of California Nurse Leaders. Dr. Gagalang co-chairs the American Nurses Association's Precision Health and Genomics work group, helping to develop competencies for Precision Health and update the Genomics Nursing competencies. She was co-primary investigator on the All of Us research grant, a partnership with the NIH to gather 1 million health samples. In 2025, she received the Excellence in Nursing Education Award from the American Nurses Association - California, and authored a national study on nurses' capacity in Precision Health.
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From Partnership to Impact: Building an Exemplary Academic–Practice Partnership
March 10, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
Many academic–practice partnerships remain informal and transactional, focused primarily on student clinical placements rather than long-term workforce sustainability, scholarship, and systems level impact. This webinar explores how intentionally designed academic–practice partnerships—built on shared governance, mutual investment, and measurable outcomes—can strengthen both academic and health system missions. Participants will examine strategies for moving from partnership in name to partnership that delivers enduring workforce, educational, and practice outcomes.
The speakers of this session are winners of the AACN Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Awards.
Outcomes:
- Describe the structural foundations of an exemplary academic–practice partnership grounded in shared governance and mutual accountability.
- Identify strategies to strengthen the undergraduate-to-workforce pipeline, including retention, readiness, and cost savings for health systems.
- Explain how practice-based scholarship is accelerated through embedded nurse scientist and clinical research infrastructure models.
- Discuss emerging directions for sustainable partnership growth, including CNL/DNP practices, faculty practice integration, and system-level impact.
Speakers
Speakers
Molly Kokenge, PhD, RN, CNL, CEN
Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice
University of Nevada
Dr. Molly Kokenge is an Associate Professor and the inaugural Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing (OSN). She leads initiatives that strengthen partnerships to advance OSN’s Mission of education, research, and practice. Dr. Kokenge oversees the OSN’s Faculty Practice Plan, a mission-driven program designed to address health equity through faculty-led care delivery and systems-focused practice initiatives. Drawing on her background in emergency nursing and systems leadership, Dr. Kokenge’s research examines health behavior engagement and adherence among populations historically marginalized from care, with a strong emphasis on policy-driven systemic change.
Loni Jones, MSN, RN, CNL
Student Coordinator
Renown Health
Loni Jones serves as a Student Coordinator and Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the Orvis School of Nursing, where she plays a key role in advancing student learning and clinical readiness. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic Practice Partnership, ensuring smooth coordination that supports student success and seamless transitions into professional nursing practice. With a strong foundation in nursing education and a clinical nurse leader's background, Loni brings a collaborative, systems-focused approach to her work. Her leadership fosters meaningful improvements across both acute care and academic environments, contributing to high-quality clinical experiences and impactful practice transformations.
Shannon Richard, PhD, RN, CHSE
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor
University of Nevada
Dr. Shannon Richard is the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the Orvis School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Reno. She is an accomplished nurse educator and researcher with more than thirteen years of teaching experience across undergraduate, associate-to-baccalaureate, and accelerated nursing programs. She brings a dynamic, student-centered approach to nursing education grounded in civility, approachability, and continuous evaluation and refinement to support student success and professional development.
Her areas of expertise include pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical development, simulation, and emergency and acute care nursing. Dr. Richard integrates innovative pedagogical strategies into both didactic and clinical settings, including conceptual learning frameworks, flipped classroom models, and advanced educational technologies to enhance engagement, clinical reasoning, and knowledge application.
Dr. Richard earned her PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and holds master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees in nursing. Her research focuses on health disparities affecting Hispanic/Latinx populations, gender-ethnic differences in disease processes, and the intersection of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and psychological well-being. She has a particular interest in modifiable lifestyle factors and early electrocardiographic abnormalities as predictors of disease risk. She has held national certifications in emergency nursing, nursing education, and healthcare simulation. Her excellence in teaching has been widely recognized, including the F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teaching Award, multiple Most Inspirational Faculty Awards from the Orvis School of Nursing, and the Sigma Nu Iota Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educator. Dr. Richard is deeply committed to optimizing the student experience, strengthening academic-practice partnerships, and advancing innovative nursing education to improve workforce readiness and health outcomes.
Charles Yingling, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor
University of Nevada
Dr. Charles Yingling is Dean and Professor of the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he provides strategic leadership to advance and sustain academic–practice partnerships that strengthen nursing education, workforce development, and health system impact.
Dr. Yingling serves as a steward of the long-standing partnership between the Orvis School of Nursing and Renown Health, which was established prior to his tenure and later formalized as the Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic–Practice Partnership. Building on this strong foundation, he has focused on strengthening the partnership’s structure, visibility, and outcomes, supporting its evolution into a nationally recognized model and its designation as a 2025 AACN Exemplary Academic–Practice Partnership. Under his leadership, the partnership has expanded its focus on sustainable workforce pipelines, transition-to-practice alignment, and practice-based scholarship. These efforts include advancing tuition-supported pathways, enhancing retention of new graduate nurses, supporting embedded nurse scientist roles, and developing systems-focused graduate practica that align academic preparation with health system priorities. His approach emphasizes shared governance, mutual investment, and measurable outcomes that benefit both academic and clinical partners.
Dr. Yingling’s scholarly and leadership interests center on academic–community–clinical partnerships, faculty practice integration, and the role of nursing leadership in improving access to care, particularly in rural and frontier settings. He is actively engaged in national nursing leadership and policy conversations focused on the future of nursing education and the nursing workforce.
Melodie Osborn, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nurse Executive
Renown Health
Melodie Osborn is Chief Nurse Executive at Renown Health, where she provides executive leadership for nursing practice across the organization and serves as the professional voice for more than 2,700 nurses. As a member of Renown’s executive leadership team, she is responsible for advancing patient-centered care by fostering high-quality, consistent nursing practice across acute, ambulatory, and community settings. In her role, Ms. Osborn is a key practice leader in Renown’s long-standing academic–practice partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing. She has played an integral role in sustaining and strengthening this partnership, helping to align nursing education, workforce development, and practice priorities to support the preparation and retention of nurses in Nevada. Her leadership emphasizes shared accountability, practice readiness, and the integration of nursing education with real-world clinical and system needs. Ms. Osborn began her career in critical care and cardiovascular services and previously served as Administrative Director for Critical Care and Cardiovascular Services at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. She joined Renown Health in 2011 and has held progressive leadership roles supporting nursing excellence and professional development.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno, and her Master of Business Administration in Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University. Ms. Osborn served as President of the Nevada Organization for Nurse Leaders in 2015 and is currently active in the re-incorporation of the group.
She is deeply committed to advancing nursing leadership and partnering with academic colleagues to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve patient and community outcomes.
Erin VanKirk, DNP, RN, NE-BC
Director of Nursing Education
Renown Health
Dr. Erin VanKirk is Director of Nursing Education at Renown Health, where she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen clinical learning environments, advance simulation-enhanced education, and support workforce readiness in collaboration with academic partners. In this role, Dr. VanKirk drives training innovation for nurses and interprofessional learners and aligns educational programs with system priorities that support high-quality care and professional excellence. She has been instrumental in expanding Renown’s clinical training infrastructure, including implementation of the Helmsley Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility that enhances experiential learning and prepares clinicians for complex practice across diverse settings. This work directly supports the full scope of the academic–practice partnership between Renown Health and the Orvis School of Nursing, strengthening student preparation, transition-to-practice success, and ongoing professional development. Dr. VanKirk began her nursing career as a frontline clinician and has since built a career focused on education, mentorship, and transformational learning design. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is board-certified in nursing leadership. Her professional interests include simulation-based pedagogy, competency-based progression, and creating supportive learning ecologies that connect academic preparation with real-world clinical expectations.
Committed to cultivating the next generation of nurses, Dr. VanKirk champions partnerships that bridge academic preparation with health system workforce needs and elevate the role of nursing education as a driver of clinical excellence and patient-centered outcomes.
Kristen Gurnea, MPH, CCRC, ACRP-PM
Director of Clinical Research
Renown Health
Kristen Gurnea is Director of Clinical Research at Renown Health, where she leads the health system’s clinical research infrastructure and works to expand access to innovative clinical trials that support patient care and evidence-generation. In this role, she oversees the design, implementation, and operational excellence of research activities while fostering collaboration among clinicians, academic partners, and research staff to improve health outcomes and build research capacity.
Ms. Gurnea’s leadership bridges frontline clinical learning, research workforce development, and academic–practice scholarship. She is a passionate advocate for integrating clinical research as a care option and for creating training pathways that align research with broader clinical and educational missions. Her work contributes directly to advancing mutually beneficial academic–practice partnerships by strengthening opportunities for students, clinicians, and learners to engage in research that informs practice and system improvement. She holds a Master of Public Health and is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and ACRP-PM (Association of Clinical Research Professionals – Program Manager), credentials that reflect her expertise in research operations, regulatory oversight, and strategic program growth. Her professional interests include expanding community-centered research, building research workforce pipelines, and supporting evidence-based innovation within health systems.
Alexa Colgrove Curtis, PhD, MPH, APRN, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation & Endowed Professor
University of Nevada
Dr. Alexa Colgrove Curtis is a nursing scholar with extensive experience in nursing education, research, clinical practice partnerships, and academic leadership. Her work prioritizes improving access to high-quality healthcare for underserved populations, with particular emphasis on rural communities, integrated behavioral health in primary care, the prevention and management of substance use disorders, and adolescent health. She has led and contributed to multiple funded workforce development initiatives aimed at expanded access to care and strengthening the pipeline of nursing practitioners prepared to serve underserved communities. Dr. Curtis is the co-editor of Nurse Practitioner Clinical Education: A Guide for Educators, Preceptors, and Clinical Partners. In her role as Administrative Lead of the Office of Research and Innovation at the Orvis School of Nursing, she focuses on developing clinical and community partnerships that support community-engaged scholarships, with particular attention to nursing care delivery and nurse-sensitive outcomes.
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Condition 4: Access and Success – Expanding Pathways and Sustaining Achievement
February 24, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session explores how academic nursing programs can enhance access and promote success for students, staff, and faculty by identifying and addressing structural, cultural, and procedural barriers that impact participation and achievement. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, the session examines the Access and Success Condition within the Operational Core, emphasizing the creation of clear pathways, equitable resource distribution, and responsive support systems that reflect the needs of all members of the academic community—including nontraditional learners and individuals managing complex life circumstances.
Participants will explore data-informed strategies for admissions, hiring, retention, and professional development, along with continuous improvement practices that foster accountability, adaptability, and lasting impact. Discussion will also highlight the relationship between Humanistic Conditions—particularly support, connection, and preparedness—and the institutional systems that enable individuals to thrive.
By linking these principles to AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision, this session demonstrates how intentional, evidence-based approaches to access and success contribute to institutional excellence, workforce readiness, and the advancement of academic nursing.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Evaluate institutional practices that influence access, retention, and advancement for students, staff, and faculty.
- Identify structural and situational barriers that limit success across roles, including unclear pathways, limited resources, and restrictive processes.
- Apply strategies to build clear, mission-aligned pathways and support systems that promote growth, recognition, and success for all members of the academic nursing community.
- Explain how the Access and Success Condition within the Operational Core supports the ACE vision by aligning institutional structures with the human and educational needs of a dynamic nursing workforce.
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a compr ehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Speaker
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
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Condition 3: Education and Scholarship – Advancing Learning, Discovery, and Innovation
February 03, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session examines how curriculum, teaching, and scholarship shape academic excellence, institutional impact, and workforce readiness in academic nursing. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, the session explores the Education and Scholarship Condition within the Operational Core, emphasizing education as a whole-person process—where students, staff, and faculty are supported to grow as scholars, educators, and leaders.
Participants will explore strategies to align educational and scholarly practices with the AACN Essentials, promote access to quality learning and well-being, and create psychologically safe and intellectually vibrant environments that nurture curiosity and innovation. The session highlights universal design for learning, mentorship, collaborative inquiry, and technology-enhanced learning as powerful tools for preparing a responsive and practice-ready nursing workforce.
Discussion will also consider how the Humanistic Conditions—particularly support, value, and preparedness—intersect with teaching and scholarship to foster lifelong learning and professional growth across roles.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe how integrated approaches to education and scholarship strengthen institutional effectiveness, professional preparedness, and individual growth.
- Identify strategies to enhance curriculum, research, and professional development environments that support engagement, innovation, and well-being across students, staff, and faculty.
- Implement approaches that advance teaching excellence, mentorship, scholarly productivity, and universal learning experiences across the academic nursing continuum.
- Explain how the Education and Scholarship Condition within the Operational Core supports AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision by aligning learning, discovery, and practice for sustained excellence.
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all stu dents, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
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Condition 2: Climate & Intergroup Relations – Creating Conditions for Respect, Trust & Collaboration
January 22, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
Webinar Details
This session explores how interpersonal norms, communication practices, and power dynamics shape the lived experiences of students, staff, and faculty within academic nursing environments. Grounded in the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, participants will examine how the Climate and Intergroup Relations Condition, within the Operational Core, influences well-being, collaboration, and long-term academic and professional success.
The session highlights the connection between institutional climate and the Humanistic Conditions—particularly psychological safety, connection, support, and value—and demonstrates how these elements reinforce one another to sustain excellence. Participants will engage in strategies to promote psychological safety, build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen accountability across all roles and levels.
Discussion will also explore how institutional histories, structures, and digital communication tools influence intergroup relations—and how intentional, evidence-informed actions can help nursing programs cultivate climates where every individual feels respected, supported, and prepared to thrive.
Learning Outcomes
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Explain how institutional climate and intergroup relations influence the well-being, engagement, and performance of students, staff, and faculty.
- Recognize early signs of unhealthy or unsafe climates—such as relational exclusion, incivility, or misuse of power—that disrupt collaboration and learning.
- Apply strategies that foster respectful communication, trust-building, and shared accountability across the academic nursing community.
- Describe how the Operational Core and Humanistic Conditions within the Ecosystem of Excellence guide the creation of climates that align with AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision.
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the H umanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Speakers
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.