Sanders awards nursing school grant

On Monday, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in collaboration with Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald and Cody Waits, director of the Arkansas Workforce Connection, announced the allocation of over $20 million in training grants. This initiative aims to bolster the development of the nursing profession in Arkansas, with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff receiving a significant portion of the funding, amounting to a little more than $1 million.

In addition to the grant announcement, Sanders designated Pine Bluff as the state’s capital for a day.

On Wednesday, she visited her hometown, where she grew up, to hold meetings with her cabinet secretaries and local officials. Some of these meetings were closed to the public, including her visit with local officials.

However, Sanders hosted a public meet and greet at Momma’s Diner and made a major announcement at a press conference held at UAPB, where she revealed the details of the training grants.

Surrounded by dignitaries, elected officials and nursing students on the second floor of the student union, Sanders received a warm welcome from all attendees. Among those in attendance were state Rep. Ken Ferguson, Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson, Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington, Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., Pine Bluff Council member Latisha Brunson, and Pine Bluff Fire Chief Shauwn Howell, among others.

“I’m so glad to be here and get to relive some of the great childhood memories that I experienced here in this community,” said Sanders. “It’s always good to be on this campus.”

Throughout her life, both as a child and now as the governor, Sanders has had a vantage point to witness the UAPB community’s efforts. Her speech acknowledged the school’s challenging beginnings and celebrated its current achievements.

“I am excited to announce that during the recent fiscal session, I worked with the legislature to secure $5.8 million in funding for UAPB’s land grant program, an increase of $2 million from our last budget,” said Sanders, who received a round of applause.

“I’m very proud that my first budget as governor is prioritizing and investing in UAPB, Arkansas’ only land grant HBCU.”

Sanders expressed her pride in supporting Joseph Carter Corbin’s vision of providing high-quality education, primarily benefiting the African American community.

Corbin, the founder and president of Arkansas AM&N, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, established the first public institution of higher education for African Americans in Arkansas.

“I know that signing a check is one thing but what really makes a difference is an advocate,” she said, “believing in students and helping build Arkansas’ next generation of teachers, of nurses, doctors and business and community leaders.”

Brenda Jacobs, chair of the UAPB Nursing Department who has had 40 years of nursing experience, said: “Today, it’s a great day. Nursing is a special profession… one of caring and compassion. We are there with the first breath and we are there with the last.”

Jacobs said the funding will allow the Department of Nursing to flourish, retain and recruit faculty and provide professional development for faculty members while supporting and instructing students.

“We will grow great nurses here in Southeast Arkansas,” said Jacobs. “We will grow great nurses who become a part of the healthcare workforce.”

Jacobs thanked the support of the university and the governor stating it was time to rally behind nursing.

“It will take the entire village to assist us in becoming all that we can be,” she said. “What a great day to stand on this campus and receive funding for the nursing department.”

Through the Arkansas Linking Industry to Growing Nurses Program, the Arkansas Office of Skills Development has awarded $20.4 million to 19 Arkansas two- and four-year colleges and universities.

The ALIGN Program is designed to upskill nursing professionals, expand nursing apprenticeship programs and increase nurse educator recruitment and retention.

In a news release, Sanders said one of her biggest priorities as governor is preparing young Arkansans for the careers of the future.

“Healthcare and nursing is one of our primary areas of focus,” said Sanders.

“The 19 2- and 4-year colleges and universities receiving grants today train some of the best nurses in America. Each of them will help us build Arkansas’ next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Secretary of Commerce McDonald added that nurses play a critical role in delivering quality healthcare in the state.

“It is essential that we have qualified nursing professionals to meet Arkansans’ healthcare needs today and in the future,” said McDonald.

“Increasing educational opportunities and apprenticeships is vital for developing the nursing pipeline in Arkansas, and the ALIGN Program will provide funding to support the growth of our state’s nursing field.”

Public and private post-secondary educational institutions in Arkansas providing LPN, RN and BSN degrees were eligible to apply for the ALIGN grant funding.

All applicants were required to provide a healthcare partner contribution with a two-to-one match by the state for each dollar contributed by the healthcare partner. Funding for the ALIGN grants is through the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

According to the release, eligible funding usage includes professional upskilling, expanding nursing apprenticeship, increasing nurse educator recruitment and retention, expanding clinical rotations, increasing nursing program capacity, tuition reimbursement, equipment purchasing, stimulation centers and expansion of labs.

All ALIGN award funding must be expended by the end of 2026.

Sanders cited Pine Bluff as a center of education, through UAPB, and healthcare, through the Jefferson Regional Medical Center and the National Center for Toxicological Research.

She also noted the city’s industry and tourism, saying Pine Bluff was home to some of Arkansas’ oldest buildings and institutions.

Sanders’ schedule for the day also included a tour of Pine Bluff Explore Academy, a visit to Indigo Blue Coffeehouse with local officials, a visit to Bohannan Dirt LLC and a tour of the Pine Bluff Arsenal.