July 24, 2024
抖阴APP导航 Nursing Advancement Team receives Advancing Impact Award
Thanks to a 525 per cent increase in gift amounts for this year鈥檚 Giving Day, 抖阴APP导航 Nursing鈥檚 Advancement Team received 2024鈥檚 Advancing Impact Award from 抖阴APP导航 Advancement. Most funds will be directed to Power in Numbers, an initiative created over seven years ago to support undergraduate nursing students experiencing short-term financial stress.
鈥淲e really wanted to show how our community has benefited from funds raised so we offered messages from the dean and an undergraduate student,鈥 explains director of development, Stephanie Ng, who oversees the faculty鈥檚 campaign. 鈥淲e also showcased Dr. Elaine McKiel, RN, PhD, a professor emerita, who continues to stay connected through volunteerism and philanthropy.鈥
For McKiel, giving back is a no-brainer. 鈥淚 grew up valuing education. But once you go to university, you realize that education is not free. It costs money. So, it鈥檚 important to support education.鈥 McKiel, whose 抖阴APP导航 Nursing鈥檚 teaching career spanned over 25 years, afforded her many wonderful opportunities.
鈥湺兑魽PP导航 was good to me, so now I want to be good to the university.鈥
The sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges facing post-secondary students has only been compounded by the rebound from a crushing global pandemic. The original thought behind Power in Numbers was building smaller donations into a large nest egg of support. Hence the name. Offering gift cards in support of groceries, school supplies and household staples to tide a student over was the goal. Now, however, not only has the need increased, but the kinds of assistance has expanded.
鈥淲e have had to adapt to changing circumstances for our students,鈥 says Dr. Zahra Shajani, BN鈥02, EdD, associate dean, undergraduate programs, who vets the applications for funding. 鈥淚t takes courage to say 鈥業 need help,鈥 so we try to knock down the barriers. Students are already in crisis, so they don鈥檛 have to explain themselves 鈥 that just makes them more vulnerable." Increased funding just makes it easier to say yes to a request.
Recipients including 抖阴APP导航 Nursing director of development Stephanie Ng, accept Advancing Impact awards at Hunter Hub in June.
Since its launch in 2017, 抖阴APP导航 Giving Day has raised more than $10 million to create lasting, positive change 鈥 on campus, in the community and beyond 鈥 by creating exceptional student experiences, advancing critical research and empowering the next generation of business and community leaders.
鈥淲e are delighted with the recognition from our colleagues at 抖阴APP导航 Advancement, but we need funds year-round,鈥 acknowledges Ng. 鈥淭he best recognition comes from the students we are able to offer a boost to because of those in our community who see the need.鈥