Leadership Through Teamwork

FNU’s commitment to emphasizing and valuing diversity and inclusion was formally instituted in 2006 when the university began intense efforts to recruit minority students in an effort to diversify the advanced practice nursing and midwifery workforce. FNU’s initial efforts were funded through the support of an Advanced Nurse Education grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). In 2010, FNU held its first annual Diversity Impact Conference. Held each summer since then, the Diversity Impact Conference opens the door for nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students plus faculty and staff to foster collaborative discussions, address health disparities, and find proactive solutions to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups. Today, the goal of a diverse health care workforce continues with efforts to recruit and educate faculty, staff, students, and preceptors and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts throughout all of FNU operations with a goal that it should be fully integrated into the university’s culture. FNU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are currently funded with a Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant from the HRSA.

These diversity initiatives span all facets of the university, but one of the most telling and important data points is the percentage of students of color enrolled at FNU. In 2009, that number was 9 percent. Starting in 2010 with the HRSA funding, FNU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have resulted in the percentage of students of color enrolled growing to 25 percent today.

FNU Board of Directors Receives AGB John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership Honorable Mention Recognition

In December, the FNU Board of Directors was recognized for its leadership by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). The Board, which is led by Board Chair Dr. Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, FAAN, FNP/GNP-BC, received honorable mention for the AGB John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership. The award embodies the vision of AGB by recognizing boards that are indispensable, strategic partners with their institutions, helping to advance student success and well-being and enhance institutional vitality. FNU’s Board of Directors was recognized in particular for its leadership during the process of purchasing and rebuilding the Versailles campus. “We received more than 35 entries for the award, all of which were compelling and competitive,” AGB President and CEO Henry Stoever said in a letter announcing the recognition. “The selection committee was challenged to select only six boards from such a strong group. While Frontier Nursing University’s board was not selected as one of the award recipients this year, the selection committee believes that your submission deserves special recognition for its contributions to the larger community. We appreciate your board’s ongoing commitment to good governance.” “The decision to leave the long-time home of the university was an emotional one for the FNU community, including many of us on the Board of Directors. However, the duty of the Board was to do what was best for the university and its mission,” Dr. Carter said. “It has been a long journey, difficult at times, but ultimately rewarding and in the best interests of FNU students and health care in the United States.”

FNU Board of Directors

Michael Carter, Chair Mike Rust, Vice Chair Emma Metcalf, Treasurer Wally Campbell, Secretary

Carlyle Carter William (Bill) Corley Nancy Hines Jean Johnson Phyllis Leppert Marcus Osborne Kerri Schuiling Peter Schwartz Maria Small Nancy Woods May Wykle