UB School of Nursing launches $2 million William R. Kenan Jr. Scholars Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo School of Nursing, in partnership with the University Honors College, has established the Kenan Scholars Program, an innovative new curriculum plan that leverages summer courses to accelerate the pathway to completion of the traditional baccalaureate degree program. The pathway is also designed to develop nurse leaders and future research scientists committed to advancing health access and serving vulnerable populations.

Supported by a generous $2 million gift from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, the pathway provides selected students with an integrated academic experience emphasizing scientific inquiry, leadership and community engagement. Over the course of the program, cohorts of at least eight students will participate in three pillars that strengthen nursing practice: a structured summer research program, enhanced leadership development, and immersion in population health projects addressing the needs of underserved communities.

“This transformative gift will enable us to prepare a new generation of nurses who lead with both scientific expertise and social responsibility,” said Annette Wysocki, dean of the School of Nursing. “The Kenan Scholars Program embodies our mission to advance health access and create evidence-based solutions that strengthen the systems of care in the community.”

Honors students interested in becoming Kenan Scholars will be selected at the end of the first semester. The Honors College is a community of scholars chosen for their intellectual curiosity and dedication to academic excellence and meaningful involvement beyond the classroom.

Those accepted as Kenan Scholars will follow a guided curriculum blending nursing prerequisites with liberal arts coursework during their first two semesters. Following this foundational academic year, Kenan Scholars will take part in the School of Nursing’s 10-week Nursing Undergraduate Research Summer Experience (NURSE) program. NURSE is a mentored, hands-on research opportunity that includes attending and presenting at scientific meetings at the local, regional or national level.

After completing their second year of coursework, these traditional baccalaureate students will enroll in summer courses to complete their junior year ahead of schedule and then complete the remainder of the senior year in the following fall and spring semesters. This curriculum design allows students to fully complete the usual baccalaureate degree requirements in three years by fully utilizing the summer semesters. Thus, they will fully experience the same amount of classroom and clinical time to complete the degree by combining these upper-division nursing courses and clinical experiences, but just ahead of schedule. During the senior year, scholars will also have the opportunity to participate in one of the school’s immersive global learning experiences, either within the U.S. or abroad.

The Kenan Scholars Program will accelerate the preparation of highly qualified nurses while supporting students holistically through research, leadership and community-based learning. By reducing time to licensure and integrating mentorship and service experiences, the program will strengthen the regional nursing workforce and equip graduates to meet the growing demand for practice ready expert clinicians and leaders across New York State and beyond.

“We are honored to partner with the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust to advance education, workforce development, and community health,” Wysocki said. “Their foresight, generosity, and support ensures that the values of professional service, scholarship and leadership continue to thrive in the next generation of nurses.”

The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, founded in 1965, honors the legacy of William Rand Kenan Jr., a chemist, engineer, manufacturer, dairy farmer and philanthropist dedicated to improving lives through whole community investment. The trust supports initiatives that advance education, promote economic mobility, and increase opportunities and improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities.