Empower Success program completes successful first year

In July 2017, Dr. Mary Ann Stark, professor of nursing, was awarded a $2 million grant (over four years) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration for funding to support nursing workforce diversity.  With this grant, the Empowering Nursing Students for Success (Empower Success) program launched in September 2017.

Empower Success December 2017 grads

The purpose of Empower Success is to help the Bronson School of Nursing to recruit, admit, retain and graduate students from underrepresented groups and educationally and financially disadvantaged populations into the nursing workforce.

According to Dr. Stark, the program completed its first academic year with great success. Ten students received scholarships and 24 students were awarded stipends. In total, $225,000 was distributed for student financial support.  Notably, all 15 Empower Success scholars who graduated this year received offers of employment as professional nurses following graduation.

In addition to financial support, student scholars in the program are offered support from a faculty mentor, Ms. Mary Stahl, and a peer student navigator. The faculty mentor and navigator meet individually with each student and establish a plan to help the student meet academic goals. This academic and peer support is administered by Ms. Kimberly Searing, the Empower Success program coordinator.

This year, 19 students received peer support from a paid navigator and 15 met regularly throughout the semester with Ms. Stahl or Ms. Searing to accomplish academic goals. We were able to employ 23 navigators to work about three hours a week with a student scholar.

Alex Mekuria and Yessica Garcia

Alex Mekuria graduated in April.  When asked how the Empower Success program was beneficial to him he replied, “it helped me utilize my potential which was obscured by lack of resources." He was able to work less and study more. With the help of his navigator, Alex learned how to prioritize and organize himself, too. He is now working at Borgess PIPP hospital and studying for the NCLEX exam, which indicates whether it is safe for one to begin practicing as an entry-level nurse. 

Yessica Garcia also graduated in April and is now working in surgery at Holland Hospital. When asked about the program, she replied, “Empower Success not only provided me with financial support but also with emotional support. It paired me up with a navigator who guided me through the tough parts of nursing school that I didn't quite understand how to deal with myself. Having a strong support network greatly motivated me and allowed me to become successful within our program.”