A Year of Transformation at the College of Nursing
As we prepare to close out 2024, I am filled with deep gratitude for the dedication and commitment of our faculty, staff and students. Your passion for nursing excellence has been inspiring, and it has been a privilege to witness the collective efforts that have strengthened our environment of growth, compassion and academic achievement. Together, we have not only navigated this year's challenges, but also advanced our mission to provide exceptional education, preparing the next generation of ºÚÁÏÍø nurses to make a lasting impact in both our communities and the healthcare field.
Renovation Highlights
This past year, we made exciting strides in enhancing our College of Nursing facilities by relocating our Academic Advising Suite to the first floor. This move makes the suite more visible and accessible to students, creating a welcoming, student-centered space that will better serve both current and future nursing students. The completion of Phase 2 renovations in Henderson Hall marks a key milestone in our efforts to modernize and improve our supportive learning environment.
The redesigned suite features larger academic offices, a dedicated conference room for group meetings and a comfortable waiting area—all designed to foster a more engaging, collaborative atmosphere. With its prominent location near the building entrances, students will find it easier to locate and meet with their advisors. New windows bring in abundant natural light, creating a bright and inviting space. Vibrant blue walls and new furniture further enhance the suite’s welcoming ambiance, making it a place where students will feel comfortable and supported as they plan their academic journeys.
In addition, the suite includes a small kitchenette for advisor use, providing a convenient space for breaks. Advisors will move into their new offices in January 2025, with student advising sessions in the updated space beginning in the spring 2025 semester. These improvements not only make advising more efficient and accessible, but also reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering a positive, student-focused environment.
Future Enhancements
Looking ahead, we are excited to share plans for the next phase of our renovations: the proposed renovation of our simulation and skills labs. The second-floor space previously occupied by the Academic Advising Suite is being considered for transformation into a state-of-the-art simulation environment, which would nearly double the lab's current size. This expansion, still in the planning stages, aims to provide students with more hands-on practice, reducing wait times and offering more opportunities to refine their clinical skills.
The redesigned simulation space would reflect modern hospital settings, creating immersive learning experiences to further prepare students for the complexities of real-world patient care. While this expansion is not yet finalized, it is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the learning environment and ensure our students have access to the most advanced training facilities.
Your philanthropic support will play a vital role in making this vision a reality. Contributions toward this future expansion will directly impact the quality of education and hands-on experience we can offer to the next generation of ºÚÁÏÍø nurses. If you're interested in learning more about how you can support this exciting initiative, please contact Corey Hukill at chukill1@kent.edu.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
As we approach the holiday season and look forward to a well-deserved break, I want to take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and the strong sense of community that unites us. This has been a year of progress, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of our College of Nursing—whether through academic excellence, support for renovation projects, or a shared commitment to our values.
A special thank you goes to our generous donors who have supported the College of Nursing this year. Your contributions are vital in enhancing our facilities and providing students with the resources they need to succeed. We are profoundly appreciative of your continued support.
Thanks to your generosity, we have awarded 107 scholarships this academic year totaling over $191,000 and raised $7,515 through our Giving Tuesday campaign in support of the simulation lab fund. These accomplishments would not be possible without your continued investment in our students and programs.
As we look ahead, I wish each of you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth and time spent with loved ones. I am excited to see the continued impact of your support as we transform our college and empower the next generation of ºÚÁÏÍø nursing professionals. Your dedication to our mission has been essential in bringing about these changes, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
Thank you for being a fundamental part of our community. Together, we will continue to advance the excellence of our nursing program and provide the best education for our students.
Warm regards,
Versie Johnson-Mallard, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Henderson Memorial Endowed Leadership Chair
Dean and Professor