The recent Boldly retreat marked both a celebration of the UF College of Nursing’s first year of Elevate 2029 and a recommitment to the strategic plan’s vision for the years ahead. As faculty and staff reflected on the progress made during the first year, they also looked ahead to how Elevate 2029 will continue to shape the college’s impact in the coming year.
Built around the college’s commitment to Care, Lead, Inspire, Boldly, the plan is centered on three strategic pillars: Care for People, Lead the Way, and Inspire the World.
Through Elevate 2029, the college aims to enhance the student and faculty experience, expand its community impact, advance innovative approaches to nursing education, strengthen research and foster collaboration. The plan also sets an ambitious goal of national recognition, including becoming the No. 1 nursing college in the nation.
During the retreat, Shakira Henderson, DNP, MS, MPH, MBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, dean, chief administrative officer and Linda Harman Aiken Chair of the UF College of Nursing, as well as system chief nurse executive and associate vice president for nursing education, practice and research for UF Health, said faculty and staff have embraced the challenge.
“What I see is excellence, what I see is a team that believes in the future of nursing. And what I see is a team that is ready to get to number one,” Henderson said.
The retreat featured food, fun and inspiring speeches.
For Denise Schentrup, DNP, APRN, director of Archer Family Health Care, that commitment to impact is reflected in the continued expansion of the nurse-led clinic, which is working to better meet the needs of the surrounding community. Plans are underway to offer after-hours and weekend appointments, with expanded hours expected to begin this fall as the clinic increases staffing and hires additional providers.
The clinic also plans to expand mental health services and pediatric care, including adding a pediatric-specific advanced practice provider. Schentrup said the expansion will help address significant needs in the community while giving patients greater access to care.
“We have mental health services, but we need to add more because we have such a need in our community,” Schentrup said.
The expanded services at Archer Family Health Care reflect the college’s commitment through Elevate 2029 to strengthening community partnerships and improving access to high-quality care.
That commitment to people also extends to the college’s faculty and staff. Diane Gagnon, program manager for Operations & Strategic Initiatives, joined the college in July. One of the things that stood out to her while learning about the strategic plan was its explicit recognition of the important role staff play in advancing the college’s mission.
“You don’t typically see that,” she said. “For me, that’s what really stuck out. It’s important to the college and to the dean, and I appreciate that.”
For Joni Craig, DNP, a clinical assistant professor, the students and faculty are what make the UF College of Nursing such a meaningful place to work. Since joining the college, she said she has been impressed by the supportive faculty and the students who make the work rewarding.
Craig is also excited about Elevate 2029 and its vision to move the college forward and position it as the No. 1 nursing program in the nation.
“Change is good. We need change. Everybody needs change to move forward,” she said. “I think it’s an excellent plan, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
As part of that work, Craig is helping implement an initiative designed to support students who struggle with math. Recognizing that math skills can be challenging for some, she has collaborated with fellow clinical assistant professor, Bryce Catarelli, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, to develop supplemental resources, including instructional videos and PowerPoint materials, to provide students with additional opportunities to practice and strengthen their skills.
The initiative, Gator Chomp Med Math, is designed to help students master the math skills they need to succeed in nursing school and prepare for their future careers.
Together, these efforts show how Elevate 2029 is taking shape through the work of faculty and staff, with initiatives focused on supporting students, strengthening the college and addressing the needs of the communities it serves.