Workforce Development

Southern’s Department of Nursing was awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) grant of $100,000 to fund scholarships for students in the university’s Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) program.

ACE is designed for individuals who want to make a career change into nursing and already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. It also enables students to earn a bachelor’s degree in 12 months,helping respond to the state’s nursing shortage.

Southern was one of 52 institutions nationwide to be selected and will award 10 scholarships worth $10,000 apiece for the 2010–11 academic year. Preference will be given students who belong to underrepresented groups such as minorities, males, those over the age of 30 and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Lisa Rebeschi, chairwoman of Southern’s Nursing Department, said interest in the ACE program has skyrocketed. “These scholarships will enhance our effort to respond to the needs of the workforce, particularly here in Connecticut,” she said.