Bowie State Receives Grant from Maryland’s Higher Education Commission

Department of Nursing Awarded $2.4 Million to Increase Number of Ph.D. Faculty Members

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, [email protected], 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) - Bowie State University's Department of Nursinghas been awarded a transformative four-year, $2.4 million grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). This funding will help the department increase the number of doctoral faculty members, with a goal of enrolling 20 students in the Ph.D. program by 2029.

Starting in 2029, the department plans to graduate five new Ph.D. nurse faculty members annually, thereby expanding the pool of nurse educators across the state. This initiative is crucial in addressing Maryland's pressing need for a well-trained nursing workforce.

According to the Maryland Hospital Association, one in four hospital nursing positions and more than one in three licensed practical nurse (LPN) positions were unfilled in 2022. By 2035, the state will need 13,800 additional registered nurses and 9,200 more licensed practical nurses to meet demand.

"Nationwide, there is a shortage of nurse educators, which restricts the ability of nursing schools to enroll and graduate enough skilled nurses to meet the growing demands of our healthcare system," said Dr. Jacqueline Hill, chair of the Department of Nursing. "The MHEC grant will enable the university to train more Ph.D. nurse educators and significantly increase the number of students enrolled in our undergraduate nursing program."

This fall, the Department of Nursing at Bowie State will welcome three new Ph.D. faculty members, raising the total number of doctoral educators from 15 to 18.

"MHEC's grant is nothing short of a game changer for Bowie State's Department of Nursing," Hill said. "With additional Ph.D. educators on staff, we will be able to train more students to work in a field that is in dire need of highly qualified healthcare practitioners."

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the 'Research College and University' designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.