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Delta State’s Robert E. Smith School of Nursing receives $638k grant from the Bower Foundation to support emerging nurses

Pictured, from left, are Delta State’s Director of Institutional Grants Heather Miller, Chair of Nursing Dr. Addie Herrod, Instructor in Nursing Dr. Donna Hill, Dean of Nursing Dr. Vicki Bingham and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affair Dr. Andy Novobilski.

CLEVELAND, Miss.—A three-year, $638,000 grant from the Bower Foundation will help Delta State University’s Robert E. Smith School of Nursing provide support to emerging nurses at Delta State as well as local community colleges and high schools through a Summer Nursing Profession Program.

Set to begin in July 2022, the month-long program will provide math and science content, ACT prep resources, test-taking strategies, study skills, stress and time management techniques as well as financial literacy to selected participants.

“We are so grateful to the Bower Foundation for an opportunity to offer this pilot program at Delta State University,” said Delta State’s Dean of Nursing Dr. Vicki Bingham. “We are excited about the outcomes that will be achieved and anticipate this program to serve as a model for other nursing programs throughout the state.”

During the first year, eligible Bower Scholars will be selected from Delta State only. The program will expand to include community colleges during year two for students who are enrolled in courses for the nursing major.

In the third year, eligible Bower Scholars will be selected from DSU and community college students who are enrolled in courses for the nursing major, as well as 10th-12th grade high school students who are interested in nursing.

“The Summer Nursing Profession Program will help Bower Scholars to meet the admission criteria and achieve acceptance into the nursing program by preparing them to improve their ACT composite score and grades in the math and science courses,” said Bingham.

To be eligible for the program, students must have an ACT composite score of 18-20, complete a program application and submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

For questions or more information, students can e-mail vbingham@deltastate.edu or call (662) 846-4268.

Given the vast health challenges facing Mississippians, The Bower Foundation directs its funds and energies into making sustainable, systemic improvements in the state’s health and education infrastructures. Through strong partnerships, the foundation leverages limited resources into grants that support mutual goals of better health outcomes and policy. The living legacy of Dr. John D. Bower’s work inspires The Bower Foundation to be proactive and highly selective in providing grants for the creation, expansion and support of quality health initiatives.

To learn more about the work of the Bower Foundation, visit www.bowerfoundation.org.

The Robert E. Smith School of Nursing’s numerous degree offerings regularly rank high nationwide for quality, affordability and efficiency.

For more information on Delta State’s nursing programs, call (662) 846-4255, or visit www.deltastate.edu/nursing.