College of Nursing

Diversity

Students, faculty and staff in the College of Nursing interact at the highest academic levels, where rigorous thinking and optimum perform ance are the expectations for everyone. We support diversity as a valuable way of achieving excellence, and strive to build a diverse student population—inclusive of gender, race, culture, religious belief, age, national origin, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and differing points of view. Our faculty and staff are recruited from diverse backgrounds with only the best selected.

We embrace diversity as more inclusive than only race or religion: both the experience and potential of an individual are valued here. Students can expect to work with classmates and faculty different from themselves, and be enriched by the experience.

College of Nursing Diversity Committee
The College of Nursing Diversity Committee meets monthly to develop opportunities that enrich student, faculty, and staff cultural experiences and to create an environment that values and supports diversity. For information about the Diversity Committee, please contact chair Jen Robb at robb.48@osu.edu

Jen Robb, chair
Awais Ali
Scott Blake
Jodi Ford
Sandy Cody
Sanford Meisel
Laura Szalacha
Bindu Thomas
Kristina Skinner
Shane Gahn
Stephanie Tronolone

Diversity Coordinator
Jen Robb creates programs and opportunities that aim to increase the number of underrepresented students in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. For information about diversity initatives and programs, or to provide feedback about the diversity climate in the college, e-mail: robb.48@osu.edu .

Diversity initiatives in the College of Nursing

Diversity newsletter – Distributed quarterly, the newsletter spotlights diversity events on campus and in the college, provides tips confronting bias, and highlights nursing faculty, staff, and students who are passionate about diversity research, events, and programs.

Diversity film and book discussions – Students, faculty, and staff read and discuss award-winning literature or watch and analyze social justice films quarterly.

Diversity Forum – Expert speakers provide training about relevant diversity issues annually.

Diversity organizations – The College of Nursing has three student groups that promote diversity: N-SPIRE, Student Ambassadors, and Nurses of Character. See Student organizations .

Study abroad – Abroad programs in Nicaragua and Honduras expose students to a variety of health care systems, patient needs, and cultural impacts within the field of nursing. See Study abroad .

Student climate assessment – This ongoing initiative solicits student feedback about the college's climate for diversity. The Diversity Committee utilizes the results to design its initiatives and goals.

Relevant courses – "Cultural Competence in Health Care and Community" focuses on cultural diversity and social inequality in health and health care. "Care of vulnerable populations" emphasizes cultural factors that impact individuals and community health.

Best Nursing College for Men – The Ohio State University College of Nursing has been named Best Nursing College for Men by the American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) for its significant efforts to recruit, retain and provide a supportive educational environment for male students.

Recruitment and outreach programs for prospective students

The Summer Institute for Diversity in Nursing – This four-day interactive program enables a diverse group of competitive high school students and incoming OSU freshmen to explore nursing careers and gain hands-on experience.

Exploring Learning for Life – Through a collaboration with Exploring Learning for Life, a non-profit organization that provides career skills, high school students meet monthly at Ohio State to prepare for a future career in the healthcare industry. See Exploring Program .

Young Scholars Program – The College of Nursing collaborates with the Young Scholars Program annually to provide hands-on activities and an overview about careers in nursing for rising high school seniors who are first-generation and low-income, with an average GPA of 3.4 .

Blueprint: College – The College of Nursing participates in Blueprint: College , a college planning program for low income, first generation families. During Career Exploration Day, faculty, staff, and students introduce families to nursing as a career, and provide hands-on activities in the Technology Learning Complex.

Future Nurse Program – This day long program for underrepresented high school seniors and incoming OSU freshmen includes an overview of careers in nursing, hands-on experience in our Technology Learning Complex, and discussions with faculty, staff and students.

Summer Research Opportunities Program – The College of Nursing annually engages prospective graduate students in research through SROP, which aims to increase the number of underrepresents students who pursue graduate study and research careers.