Jonas Nursing and AACN Announce 2026-2028 Cohort of Jonas Scholars and Mentors

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2026 – Today, Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing students in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) announce the 2026-2028 cohort of Jonas Scholars, consisting of 80 promising doctoral students from 30 states. At a critical time for the profession, Jonas Nursing continues to play a vital role in addressing the nation’s nursing faculty shortage, a leading barrier to expanding enrollment in schools of nursing. Since its launch in 2006, this signature program of Jonas Philanthropies has invested more than $28 million in over 1,400 nurse scholars across all 50 states.

“The academic nursing community applauds Jonas Nursing for its steadfast commitment to preparing the next generation of nursing faculty,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACN. “At a time when nursing schools continue to face significant faculty shortages, investment in doctoral nursing students is essential to strengthening the academic workforce and expanding access to nursing education nationwide.”

The 2026-2028 Jonas Scholar cohort includes 59 PhD candidates and 21 DNP candidates representing 57 different schools of nursing. The program will distribute nearly $1 million in scholarship support, which includes $12,000 from Jonas Nursing, with an accompanying school match. Upon completion of the two-year program, Scholars who accept faculty positions are eligible for an additional $6,000 award.

Jonas Nursing is committed to strengthening the faculty pipeline and in 2024, launched an enhanced program model. With the central focus of the student transition into future faculty roles, all Jonas Scholars take part in a curriculum centered around four pillars: mentoring, leadership development, policy, and teaching. Through this programming, Jonas Scholars will be prepared to educate a nursing workforce able to thrive across new models of care delivery, leverage emerging technology, and adapt to ongoing changes within healthcare.

“The challenges facing nursing education today demand bold investments in leadership and education,” said Lendri Purcell, Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies. “The 2026-2028 Jonas Scholars cohort reflects our commitment to developing future nurse educators and leaders at a time when they are most needed. By combining financial support, professional development, and mentorship, we are helping Scholars build successful academic careers while expanding the capacity of nursing schools nationwide.”

A hallmark of the 2026-2028 cohort is the mentorship component, led by 10 Jonas Mentors, a group of nurse educators who have been selected to provide guidance and professional support to designated groups of Scholars throughout the two-year program. Mentors will meet monthly with their assigned Scholars to discuss key topics relevant to transitioning into faculty roles. They will serve as trusted resources throughout the cohort experience and join the Scholars at the Jonas Scholar Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., in spring 2027, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities.

“Preparing outstanding nurse faculty is about more than financial support,” said John Jonas, Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies. “It requires sustained mentorship, leadership development, and a strong community of peers and experts. Through the Jonas Scholars program, we are equipping these exceptional doctoral students with the skills, confidence, and network they need to lead in academic nursing and help shape the future of healthcare.”

In January 2026, Jonas Philanthropies announced the creation of a Jonas Nursing Social Justice Scholar designation within the 2026-2028 Scholar cohort, designed to support the advancement of access and connection in nursing. Following a rigorous review process, Stephnie Brown of Thomas Jefferson University has been selected as the Jonas Nursing Social Justice Scholar. Stephnie’s research interest focuses on addressing racial inequities in healthcare, specifically among Black patients with heart failure.

Jonas Nursing and AACN gratefully acknowledge the review committee for their time, expertise, and dedication in evaluating applications: Amy Bruce (Charleston Area Medical Center Institute for Academic Medicine), Ashley Leak Bryant (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Maya Clark-Cutaia (University of Delaware), Zhanette Coffee (Boulder Care), Alison Colbert (Duquesne University), Annemarie Dowling-Castronovo (Roberts Wesleyan University), Sarah Llewellyn (Boise State University), Tonychris Nnaka (UNT Health Fort Worth), Sarah Oerther (BJC Healthcare), Julie Postma (Washington State University), Kathie Records (University of Northern Colorado), Alicia Rossiter (University of South Florida), Victoria Tiase (University of Utah), and Kirsten Verkamp (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

Jonas Nursing’s investment in doctoral nursing students represents a commitment not only to the individual Scholars, but to the long-term strength of nursing education and the healthcare workforce. By developing and supporting future faculty today, Jonas Nursing is ensuring that the next generation of nurses receives the preparation, mentorship, and leadership needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

###

About Jonas Nursing
The mission of Jonas Nursing is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce and by investing in the health and well-being of our most underserved communities. For more information on Jonas Nursing, visit jonasphilanthropies.org.

About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. For more information about AACN, visit aacnnursing.org and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.