College of Nursing Leadership Receives Diversity and Inclusion Award

Promoting diversity and inclusion is one of the four stated strategic priorities of the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing. Efforts towards that goal by the leadership of the college have resulted in Greer Glazer and Karen Bankston being awarded the 2018 Nurse.com by OnCourse Learning Lectureship Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability in Nursing Education.

Glazer, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing, and Bankston, PhD, associate dean for clinical practice, partnership in community engagement of the College of Nursing will receive their award and offer formal remarks during the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2018 Spring Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Because of your leadership in the country on holistic admissions review, you have demonstrated that holistic admissions lead to positive outcomes on student success, student engagement, working with the underserved and teamwork,” wrote Vernell DeWitty, PhD, director for diversity and inclusion for AACN, in informing Bankston and Glazer of their award.

Dewitty also shared some reviewer comments regarding their nomination:

• "This dynamic team embodies the spirit of this award through their lifelong championship of inclusive excellence and efforts to reduce health care disparities for over 40 years.”
• "Drs. Glazer and Bankston have implemented several pipeline programs to increase recruitment, retention and graduation of a diverse nursing workforce.”
• "In 2013, under the leadership of Drs. Glazer and Bankston, the College of Nursing implemented its first-ever Diversity Advisory Council, composed of administrators, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.”

Glazer and Bankston also lead the Leadership 2.0 project at the College of Nursing, which is a nursing workforce diversity initiative that supports underrepresented students applying to the college’s bachelor of science in nursing program. The program was funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration.