CDU News | Page 7
School of Nursing Receives HRSA Funding for Disadvantaged Students
CDU has been awarded a grant in the amount $ 650,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration ( HRSA ). The goal of the grant is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students from economically , educationally and environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds who enroll full-time in the Mervyn M . Dymally School Of Nursing ’ s ( MMDSON ) two-year Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing ( ELM ) program .
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students ( SDS ) recipients are partially chosen based on their stated commitment to working in primary care and medically underserved communities following graduation as well as on the severity of their financial need . Information sessions have been utilized to recruit students , with emphasis placed on individuals who are both financially disadvantaged and from an underrepresented minority .
This works well with the purpose of the SDS , which is to address and promote diversity among the health professions by transforming the workforce . SDS further capitalizes on CDU ’ s proven history of successfully recruiting , retaining , and graduating students from minority groups that are underrepresented in health professions .
“ The program builds on the University ’ s established reputation , strengthens existing partnerships , and creates new avenues for recruitment of economically , educationally , or environmentally disadvantaged students — including first-generation college students ,” shared CDU Associate Professor Dr . Sharon Cobb , Director , Prelicensure Nursing Programs . “ The program will support placement in primary care sites within medically underserved communities in South Los Angeles and beyond .”
The award provides need-based scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds each year , including students from underrepresented minority ( URM ) groups . So far , 92 students have been recipients of the SDS-funded scholarship . For the next academic year ( 2022-2023 ), MMDSON will recruit and provide need-based scholarships to 32 students .
CDU Supports Taste of Compton
CDU served as an event sponsor and vendor at Taste of Compton : A Juneteenth Celebration . The event consisted of live music , housing and small business workshops , healthy local food , arts and crafts , and a range of activities for the community . The event was presented by the Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles and was held at the Center for Sustainable Communities in Compton .
Director Aaron Bryant and Manager Laurell Black from CDU Enrollment Management Services ( EMS ) appeared at the event to speak on behalf of the University from the event stage . EMS was joined by the CDU Street Medicine Project at the event , which provided COVID-19 vaccination uptake and outreach to attendees .