Versailles, Ky. – Frontier Nursing University (FNU), located in Versailles, Ky., was announced as the private college and university recipient of the 2023 Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award, presented annually by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This award recognizes outstanding contributions made by a school of nursing that champions inclusive excellence, belonging, and sustainable, innovative strategies in nursing education. FNU previously received the AACN Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Leadership Award in 2021.
FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, represented FNU at AACN’s Diversity Symposium, Feb. 5-7. In addition to receiving the award on FNU’s behalf, Dr. Alexander-Delpech presented Frontier Nursing University: Creating a Lasting Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive AACN’s Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. “We are very proud of our progress in weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of the university. While we still have much work to do, we are intent on creating and maintaining a culture that reflects our mission and will forever be part of the identity of Frontier Nursing University.”
Recognizing the importance of DEI not only in society but also in healthcare, where data clearly shows that culturally concordant care results in improved outcomes, FNU made DEI a strategic priority over 15 years ago. The results have included a more diverse faculty and staff, as well as the enrollment of students of color rising from 9 percent in 2010 to over 30 percent today.
“Our data tells us that we have made significant progress,” Dr. Alexander-Delpech said. “But beyond the numbers, we also have a better overall understanding and awareness of the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Everyone should feel safe, welcomed, heard, and included, and we are committed to striving to reach that standard every day.”
Frontier Nursing University’s 14th annual Diversity Impact Conference will be held on July 18-19, 2024. The theme of this year’s conference is “Representation Matters: Breaking Down Contributing Factors of Health Inequities.” This virtual event features nationally recognized experts and is open to all interested parties. Online registration will be open at Frontier.edu beginning February 26.
About Frontier Nursing University:
The mission of Frontier Nursing University is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We transform healthcare by preparing innovative, ethical, compassionate, and entrepreneurial leaders to work with all people with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or Post-Graduate Certificates. Frontier has been named a “Great College to Work For” by the Great Colleges to Work For® program for each of the past three years (2021-2023). To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.