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Jonas Alumni

Jonas Scholar Alumni Council

The Jonas Scholar Alumni Council is a leadership group that consists of 10 alumni of the Jonas Scholar program selected to serve a two-year term. Created to amplify the enduring impact of the Jonas Scholars program, the Alumni Council serves as a vital force in building lasting connections among alumni, advancing professional development, and nurturing a vibrant, collaborative community of nurse leaders nationwide. The Alumni Council’s mission is:

  • To foster strong connections among the nationwide Jonas Scholar network and maintain a connection between Scholar alumni and Jonas Nursing
  • To advise Jonas Nursing on strategic direction and make key decisions for the network of Jonas Scholar Alumni

The Alumni Council is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2027 term. If you are interested in submitting an application for this national leadership opportunity, . The application deadline is June 6, 2025.

Alumni Council Eligibility Criteria:

  • Jonas Scholar Alumni (Nurses who received tuition support during their doctoral studies from any Jonas program)
  • Commitment to serve a two-year term (August 2025-July 2027)
  • Ability to participate in monthly hour-long conference calls
  • Ability to dedicate 3-4 hours per month towards the work of the Alumni Council
  • Have previously served two or fewer terms on the Alumni Council

Please direct any questions to AACN Jonas Grant Program Manager Noah Brown at nbrown@aacnnursing.org.

For information on the latest activities and events for Jonas Alumni, please visit the Jonas Activities and Online Community Page.

2023 – 2025 Jonas Scholar Alumni Council
 

  • Ron'Nisha Baldwin

    Ron’Nisha Baldwin, DNP, ANCC, ACLS, BLS, CPI
    Jonas Scholar 2021-2023
    DNP, Duke University
    Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
    Department of Veteran Affairs
    Networking Subcommittee

  • Paula Belson

    Paula Belson, PhD, CRNA, FAANA
    Jonas Scholar 2016-2018
    PhD, University of California Los Angeles
    CRNA Manager 
    Children's Hospital Los Angeles
    Programming Subcommittee

  • Zhanette Coffee

    Zhanette Coffee, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CARN-AP
    Jonas Scholar 2021-2023
    PhD, University of Arizona
    Addiction and Pain Postdoctoral Research Associate 
    University of Arizona
    Mentoring Subcommittee

  • Rebecca Jones

    Rebecca Jones, JD, DNP, CPHQ, CPPS
    Jonas Scholar 2014-2016
    DNP, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
    Chief Quality Officer - Women’s Services Market  
    Northwest Health
    Alumni Council Vice-Chair
    Mentoring Subcommittee

  • Nia Josiah

    Nia Josiah, DNP, MSN, PMHNP
    Jonas Scholar 2021-2023
    DNP, Columbia University
    Practice Assistant Professor 
    University of Pennsylvania
    Networking Subcommittee

  • Joshua Minks

    Joshua Minks, PhD, NP-C
    Jonas Scholar 2016-2018
    PhD, University of Missouri - St Louis
    Assistant Professor 
    University of Missouri - St Louis
    Mentoring Subcommittee

  • Tonychris Nnaka

    Tonychris Nnaka, PhD, MPH
    Jonas Scholar 2021-2023
    PhD, The University of Texas at Austin
    Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor of Nursing 
    University of North Texas Health Science Center
    Alumni Council Chair
    Mentoring Subcommittee

  • Darcel Reyes

    Darcel Reyes, PhD, MSN 
    Jonas Scholar 2014-2016
    PhD, Hunter College, City University of New York
    Associate Professor
    Lehman College, City University of New York
    Programming Subcommittee

  • Eleanor Rivera

    Eleanor Rivera, PhD 
    Jonas Scholar 2016-2018
    PhD, University of Illinois Chicago
    Assistant Professor
    University of Illinois Chicago
    Programming Subcommittee

  • Varsha Singh

    Varsha Singh, DNP 
    Jonas Scholar 2014-2016
    DNP, Seton Hall University
    Neuroscience / Stroke Program Manager 
    St. Joseph’s University Medical Center
    Networking Subcommittee

  • Karen Towne

    Karen Towne, MSN, PHNA-BC
    Jonas Scholar 2021-2023
    PhD, University of Kansas
    Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing 
    University of Mount Union
    Networking Subcommittee