Kristine Benda, a PhD candidate and nurse specialist at the UNMC College of Nursing, West Nebraska Division, has been selected as a Jonas Scholar.
The 2024-2026 Jonas Scholar cohort was announced recently by Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S. and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Benda is one of 63 promising doctoral students from 25 states to be selected and the only representative within Nebraska.
“We are so excited to have one of our faculty from the West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff to be recognized for such a prestigious opportunity,” said UNMC College of Nursing Dean Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP. “This recognition highlights the caliber of our faculty.”
Benda, whose scholarly focus is on psychiatric/mental health, received her BSN from UNMC and her MSN from Creighton University. She joined UNMC in 2021 and is certified as a CPNP-AC from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and PNP-BC from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The 2024-26 scholars consist of 52 PhD candidates and 11 DNP candidates represented by 45 different schools of nursing, receiving more than $1 million collectively in scholarship funds. Each scholar will be paired with a mentor to provide them with guidance and lend their expertise to developing each scholar as nursing faculty. In addition, each scholar receives $12,000 in support for tuition and other academic expenses with a school match. Following the completion of the cohort, scholars are eligible for a possible $6,000 award if they accept a faculty position. Jonas Scholar alumni have gone on to serve as faculty, researchers and leaders in academic nursing.
Through next-generation family leadership, the Jonas Scholars program continues to play a significant role in addressing the nation’s shortage of nursing faculty, a leading barrier to expanding student capacity in schools of nursing. Since its launch in 2006, this signature program of Jonas Philanthropies has invested more than $28 million in nearly 1,500 nurse scholars in all 50 states.
In early 2024, Jonas Philanthropies announced the revitalized focus for its Jonas Scholars program, concentrating on preparing doctoral students to successfully transition into faculty roles. A comprehensive curriculum was developed with content reflecting four pillars: mentoring, leadership development, policy and teaching.
Congratulations!! This is a well-deserved honor for you.
Congratulations Kristine! I love seeing BIG success on our smallest campus!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Kristine!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Kristine! Your hard work is shining through!