Stephanie Uhr, new assistant professor, NIU School of Nursing, was named as a 2023 Nurse Educator Fellow by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).
Stephanie Uhr
The IBHE Nurse Educator Fellowship, which includes a $10,000 award, was established to help retain well-qualified nursing faculty by supplementing their salaries at universities that grant nursing degrees.
“Winning this award is a huge accomplishment,” Uhr said. “It will provide me with funds to disseminate my doctoral research at two national conferences in 2023 and will provide needed funds to plan and carry out my next research project.”
Uhr earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing education from NIU before earning her doctorate degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2022. She was a recipient of the Nurse Doctoral Incentive Scholarship (NDIS) from NIU School of Nursing, a scholarship fund made possible by supportive donors specifically for those pursuing a doctoral degree.
“The funds from NDIS allowed me to pay for books and my travel expenses when I needed to attend classes on campus at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee,” Uhr said. “The most significant impact the NDIS had for me was that the scholarship funds gave me peace of mind and an extra cushion to continue going to school full-time while I was working.”
The NIU alum successfully applied for a tenure track faculty position and was appointed in January 2023.
“I love teaching at NIU,” Uhr said. “One significant reason I chose to apply for a tenure track position is NIU’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It ties into my research but is also a vital component in our world. Nurse educators are pivotal in preparing future healthcare professionals to provide equitable care.”
Dean Beverly Henry, College of Health and Human Sciences, said Uhr is an asset to the School of Nursing team and is deserving of this recognition.
“Dr. Uhr’s contributions – with teaching and service obligations – supported our students and faculty and demonstrated her positive spirit and energy,” Henry said. “We are excited that she joined the team in her new role as a member of the tenure track faculty.”
Learn more about NIU School of Nursing.
