Regis College has established the Dr. Antoinette Hays Scholarship Fund for Nurse Educator Excellence in recognition of Antoinette M. Hays, PhD, RN, whose career has been defined by a commitment to nursing, education, and the preparation of future healthcare leaders.
Created as Dr. Hays concludes her 15-year tenure as the tenth president of Regis, the scholarship honors her enduring impact on the institution and the nursing profession while investing in the next generation of nurse educators.
The scholarship fund will support students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Education track at Regis College who aspire to teach, mentor, and inspire future nurses. Scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded to selected applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, professional commitment, and dedication to the role of nurse educator.
"For more than four decades, I have witnessed the transformative power of an education that forms caring and knowledgeable nurses," said Dr. Hays. "Nurse educators play a critical role in shaping not only skilled clinicians, but compassionate leaders who will care for patients, families, and communities. I am deeply honored that this scholarship will help support students who feel called to teach and who will carry that mission forward for generations to come."
The scholarship reflects Regis College's longstanding commitment to addressing the growing need for qualified nursing faculty. Across the nation, healthcare organizations continue to face nursing shortages, making the preparation of nurse educators increasingly important to strengthening the workforce and ensuring access to high-quality patient care.
"President Hays has been a tireless champion for nursing education and for the students who choose nursing as a vocation," said Sharon Higgins, DNP, NP-C, ONC, WCC, the Carol A. Donovan Endowed Dean of Nursing of the Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing. "Her leadership has helped position Regis as a national leader in nursing education, and it is especially fitting that this scholarship supports future nurse educators. By investing in those who will teach the next generation of nurses, we are extending Dr. Hays' legacy of service, excellence, and innovation."
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Education track at Regis, registered for a minimum of six credits during the award period, maintain good academic standing, and demonstrate a commitment to the nurse educator role. Applicants may not be receiving funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) at the time of application.
The scholarship complements Regis College's participation in the federally funded Nurse Faculty Loan Program, which was established to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty nationwide. Through the program, eligible doctoral students may receive loans to support their education and may qualify for significant loan forgiveness upon graduation and service as full-time nursing faculty.
The establishment of the Dr. Antoinette Hays Scholarship Fund for Nurse Educator Excellence ensures that Dr. Hays' commitment to nursing education will continue to shape the future of healthcare long after her presidency, empowering future educators who will prepare the nurses our communities need.