Today, Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), announced that University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing PhD student Melissa Jung has been selected as a Jonas Scholar for the program’s 2026-2028 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.
Melissa Jung joins a select group of 80 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As a Jonas Scholar, Melissa will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.
“The University of Tennessee, College of Nursing would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Jonas Scholars Program for the sponsorship of our PhD student, Melissa Jung. This program is the initiative of the Jonas Philanthropies, created to support PhD students through promoting faculty education, mentorship, leadership development, and networking in an effort to reduce the nursing shortage through faculty development,” shared Kathy Newnam, PhD program chair.
Jung’s research focuses on rural cardiovascular health, with an emphasis on symptom recognition, self-management, and policy approaches that improve access to care and health outcomes in rural communities. Through this work, Jung is committed to addressing the unique health challenges faced by individuals living in rural areas and identifying strategies that can help improve cardiovascular health and reduce disparities in access and outcomes.
In addition to her research, Jung is actively involved in leadership and service within the nursing community. She serves as a Graduate Student Representative on the Graduate Student Affairs Committee at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing and as a student representative on the Board of the Gamma Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Her commitment to service also extends into the community through volunteer involvement in local rural health outreach and community health and wellness initiatives.
“Being named a Jonas Scholar is deeply meaningful to me because it represents an achievement not only for me, but also for the rural communities I serve. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from experienced nurse leaders, grow as a researcher and future faculty member, and be part of a national community that is investing in the future of nursing,” Jung said.
Melissa joins an incredibly talented cohort of doctoral nursing students. This group of 80 Scholars contains a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including pediatrics, mental health, and veterans’ health.
For more information about the Jonas Scholars program, please visit https://www.aacnnursing.org/jonas-nursing.
About Jonas Nursing The mission of Jonas Nursing is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce and by investing in the health and well-being of our most underserved communities. For more information on Jonas Nursing, visit www.aacnnursing.org/jonas-nursing.
About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. For more information about AACN, visit aacnnursing.org and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.