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Baltimore, Md. - Don’t tell Hiu Yu Chan, BSN ’25, that the American Dream is dead.  As she walked across the stage of Baltimore’s historic Hippodrome Theatre on May 20, one of 454 graduates in the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Class of 2025, she proved it is alive and well. Chan, the selected student speaker for the first of UMSON’s two Convocation ceremonies, came to the United States from Hong Kong just four years ago, “chasing the American Dream,” she said, and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree against the odds. With English as a second language and little cultural familiarity, she said every lecture and textbook required her to review material multiple times to grasp both the content and the context. But she was determined to follow her passion to earn her degree and become a nurse. “Today, we celebrate more than just a degree,” Chan said. “We celebrate survival, growth, and resilience.“ She said she was full of doubt and insecurity and often asked herself, “Am I really good enough to be a nurse?” Convocation proved that she was. And that she was not alone. “Let me say this from the bottom of my heart,” Chan said. “I came to the United States chasing the American Dream and today, standing here in my cap and gown, I know that dream has come true.” During UMSON’s two ceremonies — a morning celebration for BSN and entry-into-nursing Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) graduates and an afternoon event for other master’s and doctoral graduates — the School conferred 231 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 89 master’s degrees, 126 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, two PhDs, and six certificates, resulting in 259 new nurses entering the workforce. The ceremonies spotlighted perseverance as a defining trait of the Class of 2025. “You worked hard, you stayed up late, you started your day early. You sacrificed so much,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and professor, in her opening remarks. “Yes, you truly earned your degree, and you should be proud of your accomplishments.” Ogbolu emphasized that nursing is not only a career but a privilege — one that shapes lives, families, and communities. “On behalf of the School, I hope that all of you will be as happy and fulfilled in your nursing careers as I have been for the past 38 years,” she said. Ogbolu recognized the Class of 2025 for having the most graduates receiving Latin honors — cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude — since 2011 and for its high number of applications for the student speaker opportunities and nominations for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Students. The DAISY Award was awarded to Kadria Azariah Sadr, a graduate of the entry BSN program, and Verity Alys White, a graduate of the master’s CNL option. DAISY Awards are given each fall and spring to two graduating entry-into-nursing graduates who demonstrate empathetic care and service to patients and their families. The award was created by The DAISY Foundation to remind students, even during their hardest days in nursing school, why they chose to become a nurse. Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), conferred the degrees, telling the graduates, “Not only are you graduating from the greatest nursing school in this country, but you have been instructed by the greatest faculty of nursing in this country.” In the afternoon ceremony, Ogbolu praised the graduates as a class that modeled UMB’s core values of Innovation and Discovery, finding new ways to advance health care through their education, research, quality improvement projects, and policy. “They are the tangible embodiment of our mission to develop the next generation of great nurse leaders,” she said. The 2025 Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service, which each year recognizes someone external to the School who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advancing UMSON and its mission, was presented to Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, president and chief executive officer of the National League for Nursing, who provided the keynote address in the afternoon ceremony. In her remarks, Malone urged graduates to “pack” what they’ll need for the journey ahead: a GPS for direction, values like caring and integrity, trusted mentors — and to leave behind hesitation and imposter syndrome. “You need to step into your greatness and say, ‘Look at me!’,” she said. “I’m here to serve. I’m ready to be a part of the system.” At the afternoon master’s and doctoral ceremony, student speaker Alex Hatcher, a DNP graduate of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty, recalled how she received a book from Jacqueline C. Mitchell, PhD ’25, MS ’07, CRNA, FAANA, director of clinical education, on the first day of orientation; Mitchell was in the audience as one of the two PhD graduates. The book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” by Angela Duckworth, left a lasting impression on Hatcher and reminded her of her fellow graduates.  “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals,” Hatcher said, quoting from the book. “Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out. Not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Hatcher added, “This journey was not easy, in fact it was the most challenging and the most demanding goal I’ve ever worked toward, and there were many times when giving up seemed like the only option. But we didn’t. We showed grit.” ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Eleven University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been recognized with Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Awards from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II. UMSON received 11 of the 54 awards issued statewide, representing more than a fifth of all ANEC awards conferred this year. The faculty were each awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for demonstrating excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential, either through initial certification or recertification. The faculty are: Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’96, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, FAAN, ANEF, associate professor, associate dean for faculty development, and director of the Institute for Educators Naomi Cross, MSN, RN, C-EFM, CNE, clinical instructor Amy L. Daniels, PhD ’18, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, director of clinical simulation and assistant professor Malissa da Graça, DNP ’21, MS ’07, RNC, FNP-C, CNE, assistant professor Melissa McClean, MSN, ANP-BC, NP-C, ACHPN, CN, clinical instructor Sun Young “Sunny” Park, DNP ’22, MS ’17, CNE, FNP-C, CNE, assistant professor Mary Grace “Molly” Renfrow, DNP ’18, FNP, CNE, assistant professor Ciara Smith, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CNE, assistant professor Taylor Jones Swing, DNP ’18, RN, CRNP-PC, CNE, assistant professor Cory Stephens, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, CNE, assistant professor Rebecca N. Weston, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor  The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, faculty serve as leaders and role models. “We are grateful for the generous support provided to nurse faculty through the Academic Nurse Educator Certification Awards and for the ongoing efforts of the Maryland Higher Education Commission to encourage nurse faculty to achieve or maintain National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator certification,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “The study and preparation that goes into achieving or maintaining this credential speaks to the commitment of these 11 faculty members to excellence in teaching. This year we had nine individuals receiving the CNE credential for the first time and two individuals who were renewing their certification for the second time. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishment.” Developed under the NSP II, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, the ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The award is intended to reinforce the use of the CNE as one measurement of excellence in nursing programs and to support the retention of outstanding academic educators. The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees, travel, and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

For Kimberly Hampton, PhD, MBA, MS ’06, RN, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), stepping into a classroom for the first time to teach was once a nerve-wracking experience. But thanks to the School’s Nursing Professional Residency for Outstanding Faculty (N-PROF) pilot program, Hampton has found her footing. “As a faculty member who is not only new to UMSON but also new to academia, I was excited to have the opportunity to learn from more experienced faculty members and connect with other colleagues through N-PROF,” Hampton said. Launched in 2024, N-PROF was funded by a $145,000 Conway Innovation Challenge grant through Bill and Joanne Conway’s Bedford Falls Foundation Charitable Trust. The challenge was designed to spark scalable ideas that prepare more nurses for faculty roles and expand student enrollment. N-PROF supports nurses transitioning from clinical practice into academic positions by offering structured guidance and community. The program is built on a cohort model, helping new faculty learn to develop curricula, teach effectively, advise students, collaborate on research, balance academic and clinical practice with scholarship and service, and integrate feedback from multiple sources. N-PROF aligns with UMSON’s Institute for Educators’ mission to prepare and support nurse faculty across Maryland through education, mentorship, and professional development. The overarching goal: Improve faculty retention by increasing their confidence, competence, connectedness, and contribution, said Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’96, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, FAAN, ANEF, associate professor, associate dean for faculty development, and director of the Institute for Educators. “Every acute care hospital in Maryland has a one-year nurse residency program for new nurses,” Bindon said. “Prior to N-PROF, there was no such residency program for new faculty transitioning from practice to academia.” Last summer, Bindon asked each UMSON academic department chair to identify new or novice faculty who might benefit from the program. The chairs nominated about two dozen faculty members, and the pilot launched in August. N-PROF participants meet monthly for an hour, during which the group reflects on what has been working well for them, offers each other encouragement, shares ideas, and learns about a topic Bindon selects. Guest speakers also present to the group on topics such as work-life balance; leadership roles for faculty; decisions, wins, and regrets; finance; research; student communication skills; and building one’s own personal brand.Speakers often recommend books, so Bindon created a small N-PROF library with titles participants can borrow. She also conducts classroom observations and provides individualized feedback, helping each participant reflect on their goals and growth. During a winter retreat, outside consultants helped the group deepen reflection and camaraderie. Facilitators explored how new and novice faculty members can use reflective practice, a process of critically examining your experiences to improve your performance and decision-making in the future, to help balance some of the stress of the faculty role. “The connection in the room was palpable,” Bindon recalled. Faculty members say the program is already making a difference. “N-PROF has been invaluable for my transition into academia,” said Caitlin Donis, PhD, MS ’13, AG-ACNP, AACNS-AG, assistant professor. “It gave me space to examine academic life, understand my teaching strengths, and connect with supportive mentors and peers.” Hampton agreed. “I’ve received tips on managing time, brand-building advice, and communication strategies,” she said. “Dr. Bindon also gave me thoughtful feedback after observing my teaching. The connections I’ve made across our two UMSON locations have been incredible.” The N-PROF pilot will be evaluated for its impact in July and potentially shared with other nursing schools nationwide. “The feedback I get most often,” Bindon said, “is that the faculty love feeling like they’re not alone.”