FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAM AMONG 14 TO RECEIVE STATE GRANT FUNDS
LARGO, Md. (June 25, 2020) – The Prince George's Community College (PGCC) nursing program is among 14 in the state awarded grants by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Nurse Support Program II (NSP II).
The College received $14,230 in partial funding for its nursing resource grant for the 2020-2021 academic year. It will support the transition of faculty from clinical practice to academia by focusing on the Next Generation (NGN) National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX), scheduled for implementation by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in 2023.
The funding is part of a $29.3 million award for 29 competitive institutional grants announced recently by Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary James D. Fielder. That award covers one-year planning grants, five-year full implementation grants, continuation grants, and nursing resource grants.
"Despite the numerous challenges to our health care professionals, due to COVID-19, MHEC remains focused on funding opportunities that will continue to enhance our pool of well-educated and qualified nurses to serve Maryland residents, now and in the years to come," Secretary Fielder said.
"We are grateful for these resources," said Vivian P. Kuawogai, a nursing professor and chair of the College's nursing department. "These funds will be used to enhance nursing student success and faculty professional development."
Kuawogai has submitted three successful grant proposals in the past year that have netted Prince George's Community College a total of $164,230 for its nursing program. In addition to the recent award of $14,230 for the upcoming academic year, $150,000 in state grant funds were awarded to PGCC for the 2019-2020 academic year. Those included:
- The NSP II New Nurse Faculty Fellowship grant, which totaled $140,000. That award supported seven fellowships of $20,000 each to newly-hired faculty who are on the full-time tenure track over the next three years. Each received $10,000 in the first year and will receive $5,000 in each of the next two consecutive years, based on full-time employment in good standing. The NSP II focuses on preparing a strong nursing workforce for Maryland's hospitals and health systems.
- The Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) grant for $10,000, which supported $5,000 awards to two faculty members who demonstrated excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving and maintaining the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) The certification communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met.
The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) approves funding for grant proposals. This year, the approvals took place at the commission's May meeting. The joint effort between HSCRC, MHEC, and higher education institutions in Maryland has, for more than 30 years, concentrated on meeting the needs of nursing professionals at hospitals and nursing schools.
For the fiscal year that starts July 1, the nine-member review panel approved funding for 29 of the 40 proposals received from 14 institutions of higher education. Grant funding was awarded to Prince George's Community College and 13 other institutions with nursing programs. They include Allegany College of Maryland, Carroll Community College, Cecil College, Coppin State University, Frostburg State University, Harford Community College, Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery College, Morgan State University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Salisbury University, Stevenson University, and the University of Maryland.
About Prince George's Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George's Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George's County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 40,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George's County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enables PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands. For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George's Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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