Two University of Maryland School of Nursing Doctoral Students Selected as Jonas Scholars
October 23, 2026
Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) students have been named Jonas Scholars for the 2026 - 28 cohort by Jonas Nursing and the American Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The prestigious program is designed to support doctoral nursing students who plan to pursue careers as future nursing faculty leaders to help address the national nursing faculty shortage.
As scholarship recipients, Kristin Peacock, MEd, BSN ’22, RN, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, and Jill Storer, MSN ’23, RN, CCRN, CNE-cl, a PhD student, will be provided with financial assistance, leadership development, and networking support. They join a cohort of 78 other doctoral nursing students from 30 states. Scholars are selected based on their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research abilities. UMSON has been awarded a grant of $24,000 to support the two scholars.
UMSON has had 26 Jonas Scholars since 2012 when UMSON’s collaboration with the scholarship program began.
“To be named a Jonas Scholar is an honor I accept with humility and gratitude,” said Peacock, whose research area of focus is rural health. “I look forward to the leadership opportunities and mentorship this prestigious program offers recipients."
Added Storer, “Being selected as a Jonas Scholar is both an honor and a privilege. I am thrilled to join the 2026 - 28 cohort and eager to learn from and collaborate with other emerging nurse leaders as I continue my doctoral studies.” Her research area of focus is gerontology.
This Jonas Scholar cohort consists of 59 PhD candidates and 21 DNP candidates representing 57 schools of nursing. The program will distribute nearly $1 million in scholarship support, which includes $12,000 for each scholar from Jonas Nursing with an accompanying school match. Upon completion of the two-year program, scholars who accept faculty positions are eligible for an additional $6,000 award.
A hallmark of the 2026 - 28 cohort is the mentorship component, led by 10 Jonas Mentors, a group of nurse educators who have been selected to provide guidance and professional support to scholars throughout the two-year program. Mentors will meet monthly with their assigned scholars to discuss key topics relevant to nursing faculty roles. They will serve as trusted resources throughout the cohort experience and join the scholars at the Jonas Scholar Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., in spring 2027, fostering meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities.
Jonas Nursing is an initiative of Jonas Philanthropies. Among its signature efforts is the Jonas Scholars program, which provides financial assistance, leadership development, and networking support to expand the pipeline of nursing faculty, researchers, and advanced practice nurses. The AACN serves as the strategic partner and "home base" for Jonas Nursing, administering and executing the Jonas Scholars program by providing support in application management, educational programming, and mentorship matching.
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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 nearly 2,100 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.