Missouri Western, Mosaic announce first Nursing Scholars of Promise class

July 14, 2025-A dozen students who graduated from nine high schools this spring will receive a top-notch nursing education with the promise of employment after graduation. Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have announced the first class in the innovative Nursing Scholars of Promise program.

"What an exciting day!" said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western's president. "I don't think you're going to find a program like this in the country, providing the financial, the academic and the career support that nursing students need. And we know our students will get an excellent education: our nursing program has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for its 100% first-time passage rate on the NCLEX licensure exam for multiple cohorts. We're proud to partner with Mosaic Life Care in providing this unique opportunity to these talented students."

""We are thrilled to welcome this first class to Missouri Western State University and then to our Mosaic team," said Mike Poore, CEO of Mosaic Life Care. "Partnering with MWSU to offer this new program for nursing students is an investment in the future of health care for the communities we serve. By supporting students through their education and ensuring they have an immediate position in our hospital system after graduation, we're building a strong, skilled workforce and ensuring compassionate, high-quality care for generations to come."

Missouri Western and Mosaic announced the new initiative last fall. The Nursing Scholars of Promise program covers three-quarters of the cost of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Missouri Western. In exchange, the students agree to work at Mosaic for four years following graduation.

The first Nursing Scholars of Promise are:

• Bishop LeBlond High School, St. Joseph: Grant Ahrens
• Central High School, St. Joseph: Delanie Anderson, Chloe Butler, Elizabeth Fite and Jayden Ingram
• Lafayette High School, St. Joseph: Danica Whetsell
• Excelsior Springs High School: Lundyn Smith
• Lansing (Kansas) High School: Claire Schultz
• Mid-Buchanan High School: Remington Hildebrand-Page
• Park Hill High School: Marin VanBatavia
• Riverside High School: Kelbie Brendle
• Savannah High School: Madison Kendall

In addition to the financial support and employment opportunity, the program also includes a dedicated advisor to support their academic and employment success. The advisor will work with nursing faculty and the team at Mosaic to monitor the students' academic performance and coordinate the logistics of employment with Mosaic. Students will begin working in a hospital environment as freshmen up to eight hours a week, to experience what it's like.

"I'm really excited to work at the hospital while I'm in school," Lundyn Smith said. I think it'll help me stay in practice and make everything I'm learning feel more real. I can't wait to begin my journey at MoWest!"

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.