Ashland University Receives $1.58 Million HRSA Grant for College of Nursing

ASHLAND, OH--(Marketwire - Jul 15, 2011) - Ashland University has received a $1.58 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for "Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention" at the university. One hundred percent of the Ashland University project will be financed with federal grant dollars from HRSA.

The primary objective of the grant, to be disbursed over a three-year period, is to increase the baccalaureate nursing enrollment with a focus on the recruitment of minority and disadvantaged students as well as implementation of a retention program to promote their completion of the program.

"I am very pleased that HRSA has awarded this grant to Ashland University's Schar College of Nursing," said Faye Grund, dean of the College of Nursing.

Grund said the three-year project proposed by Ashland University was based on four outcomes: 1) increasing enrollment of traditional, accelerated and RN to BSN students through enhanced marketing and mentorship of students from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds; 2) increasing retention of minority and disadvantaged students by 3 percent each project year; 3) expanding the capacity for simulated learning experiences for students capturing scenarios of culturally diverse and underserved populations within the state of Ohio; and 4) recruiting and developing faculty from underrepresented, diverse backgrounds to facilitate the recruitment of students from these same backgrounds and increase faculty awareness regarding diversity issues.

Dr. Fred Finks, president of Ashland University, called the grant award "wonderful news."

"This grant, which includes simulation equipment along with program development and new faculty, will enable Ashland University to expand its outreach to better serve health care needs throughout Ohio," Finks said. "This plan to increase enrollment is crucial for the nursing workforce during a time when the nursing profession is challenged with shortages."

Ashland University broke ground in June for construction of a $15.5 million Dwight Schar College of Nursing facility in Mansfield. The new 46,000-square-foot facility is expected to be open for classes in the fall of 2012.

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio.