Two doctoral students at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing have been selected as members of the 2026-2028 Jonas Scholars cohort, a national program that supports the development of future nurse educators, researchers, and leaders.
Maria Hurd, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN, and Amy McNicoll, RN, MSN-Ed, CNE, CHSE, were selected as part of a group of 80 doctoral nursing students from across the country chosen by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The program aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by supporting PhD- and DNP-prepared nurses who will educate future generations of nurses and advance nursing science.
As Jonas Scholars, Hurd and McNicoll will receive financial support, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities designed to help doctoral students transition into faculty and research roles.
“We are incredibly proud of Maria Hurd and Amy McNicoll for being named Jonas Scholars,” said Kristen Starnes-Ott, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FNAP, dean of the UTMB School of Nursing. “Their commitment to advancing nursing education and improving health outcomes through innovative research reflects the excellence and purpose that define our doctoral program.
“We are grateful to Jonas Nursing for its continued investment in developing the next generation of nurse scientists, educators, and leaders whose work will strengthen the nursing profession and the communities we serve.”
Maria Hurd
Hurd’s research focuses on nursing education in rural healthcare settings, particularly the use of virtual reality-enhanced simulation to improve clinical judgment, confidence, and workforce readiness among prelicensure nursing students. Her work explores how simulation technologies can strengthen nursing education, address rural workforce challenges, and better prepare students for practice in underserved communities.
In addition to her doctoral studies, Hurd serves as nursing faculty and director of simulation at East Texas A&M University and has worked as a graduate assistant at UTMB with Letitia Graves-Dixon, PhD, RN, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing Department of Graduate Studies.
As a Jonas Scholar, Hurd will conduct her studies at UTMB under the mentorship of Deborah Klesel, PhD, MSN, RN, an assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Undergraduate Studies and track coordinator of the ISLAND Promise Program.
“I am deeply grateful and excited to be selected as a Jonas Scholar,” Hurd said. “As I continue to grow as a nurse educator and develop my research, I am especially excited about the opportunity for mentorship and leadership development that will help me better prepare the next generation of nurses.”
Amy McNicoll
McNicoll's research examines simulation-based nursing education as a strategy for developing person-centered care competencies among prelicensure nursing students, particularly those enrolled in associate degree nursing programs. Her work investigates whether structured simulation experiences can improve cultural competence, therapeutic communication, empathy, and readiness to care for diverse patient populations.
The research aims to advance health equity and evidence-based nursing education while creating scalable educational innovations for community college nursing programs.
“Being selected as a Jonas Scholar is a tremendous affirmation of the work I do as faculty and a student,” McNicoll said. “It is truly an investment in my students as much as it is in me. This opportunity pushes me to grow not just as a scholar, but as an educator, so I can continue to innovate in the classroom and challenge myself every day.”
McNicoll's Jonas Scholar studies at UTMB will be guided by DeMonica Junious, PhD, RN, CNE, an associate professor of instruction in the School of Nursing Department of Graduate Studies and track coordinator of the MSN Executive Nurse Leader Track.
Addressing national priorities
The two UTMB students join a national cohort of scholars whose research addresses some of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges, including pediatrics, mental health, and veterans’ health.