Sacramento Campus
three smu students, who want to start a mentorship program to help ethnically diverse undergraduates with limited resources succeed as healthcare professionals, shared their proposal at the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative University. Nga Dwork, Shante Myers, and Carmen Craven (pictured above left to right) were among 1,000 students from 80 countries chosen to attend the event at UC Berkeley in April.
President Bill Clinton launched the annual conference in 2007, modeled after his successful Clinton Global Initiative, to inspire college students “to develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.” Applicants create “Commitments to Action” that address issues on campus, in local communities, or around the world.” Craven, Dwork, and Myers — graduate nursing students on SMU’s Sacramento Campus — won admission to the Clinton Global Initiative University for their plan to address the shortage of culturally diverse healthcare professionals and decrease the readiness gap that exists for lower-income students.
A more diverse healthcare workforce, Craven said, will help reduce health disparities for all communities in the long run. “We came from different backgrounds but have similar goals in diversifying the healthcare system,” said Craven, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) student who is part Peruvian and Japanese and grew up in the Bay Area. “We knew as nurses we wanted to reach out, and work with people who don’t have the access to resources, or help them through their academic struggles. Coming from those backgrounds, it isn’t the easiest road to take to becoming a nurse and getting through college.”
SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY
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