March 13, 2009

FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Marian University receives $190,000 from the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill in order to help establish a collaborative, abilities-based master’s program in nursing education.

“The program is designed to address the shortage of nurse educators, thereby expanding opportunities for students go get degrees in nursing,” stated Rep. Tom Petri. “The University will establish collaborative agreements among a group of nursing programs at colleges, universities and technical colleges in the state.”

“I am excited about the support that it will give to our nursing program in order to assist in educating future nurses,” stated Marian University President Josefina Castillo Baltodano. “The university is grateful to Senator Kohl and Representative Petri for their support in the legislature.”

Supported by both Rep. Petri and Sen. Kohl, the proposed program will develop nurse educators who are culturally competent, have advanced clinical preparation and who are able to function in a complex education environment. With an education that focuses both on the teaching and learning process and on the clinical content necessary for direct care roles, graduates of the program will be able to teach students in both associate and baccalaureate degree curricula. This would be the first initiative in Wisconsin to join private and public colleges in order to create new models that use the faculty resources available.

In 2006, more than 32,000 aspiring nurses were turned away from college programs due to a lack of teachers and classroom space. This funding will allow Marian University to expand its program to educate more future nurses and nurse educators throughout the state.

For more information, please contact Timothy “Bo” Kemper, vice president for institutional advancement at, 1-800-2-MARIAN ext. 7676.