A major investment is coming to Kent State, and it’s all about supporting the next generation of nurses.
The Bedford Falls Foundation has awarded $1.8 million to Kent State University’s College of Nursing, creating a new scholarship fund that will help 150 junior and senior nursing students over the next three years.
The goal is simple: ease the financial burden on students so they can focus on finishing their degrees, and ultimately help address the ongoing shortage of nurses.
Kent State leaders say the timing couldn’t be more important.
Like much of the country, Ohio is facing a growing demand for healthcare workers. National projections show the nursing workforce is still falling short of what’s needed, with shortages expected to continue for years.
At Kent State, the College of Nursing is already a major pipeline for the workforce, with more than 2,000 students enrolled across eight campuses and a nearly 100% job placement rate within six months of graduation.
University leaders say partnerships like this one are critical to keeping that pipeline strong.
For students, the impact is immediate, less time worrying about how to pay for school, and more time focused on learning the skills they’ll need in the field.
And for the community, it’s a long-term investment in healthcare, helping ensure more trained nurses are ready to step in when and where they’re needed most.
