Amanda Jensen, a doctor of nursing practice student from Roseau, Minn., was one of 142 doctoral students nationwide to be named a scholar through the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence’s Nurse Leaders Scholar Program.

“It is an honor and privilege to be named the NDSU Jonas Scholar,” Jensen said. “The wealth of knowledge, support and leadership development opportunities provided by the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence is astounding and I look forward to working with them throughout my education.”

The 142 scholars will be funded through 2014 with $2 million from the Jonas Center and $1.5 million in matching funds from the nursing programs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing will administer the program. The NDSU nursing program was selected as the sole grantee representing North Dakota.

Carla Gross, associate professor of nursing and department chair, and Dean Gross, assistant professor of nursing, submitted the grant proposal. The department is providing Jensen with a funding match that will award Jensen with a total of $10,000 during two years. She also will receive mentorship and financial support to attend the 2013 Jonas Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Amanda will represent NDSU and North Dakota well in the Jonas Leaders Scholar Program,” Carla Gross said. “She is highly competent in professional practice, knowledgeable about evidence-based practice and passionate about nursing education.”

Launched in 2008, the Jonas Leaders Scholar Program is intended to increase the number of doctorally prepared faculty available to teach in nursing schools nationwide. The potential scholar must be committed to a career as a faculty member or a leader in a primary care or clinical facility. For more information about the program, visit www.jonascenter.org.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.