Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) announced that Lorraine Cupelli and Jim Van Tassel, both PhD students at Molloy University, have been selected as Jonas Scholars for the program’s 2026-2028 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.
Lorraine and Jim join a select group of 80 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As Jonas Scholars, they will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.
“I am delighted by the selection of two Molloy University PhD students as Jonas Scholars. This is one of the most respected honors available to emerging nurse scholars,” said Marcia Gardner, Dean of the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Molloy University. “The selection of both Lorraine Cupelli and Jim Van Tassel speaks volumes about their talent, dedication, and potential to shape the future of nursing education and research. It also underscores the excellence of our doctoral program and the outstanding work being accomplished by our students and faculty. We are profoundly grateful to Jonas Nursing and AACN for recognizing and supporting these future nursing leaders.”
Lorraine Cupelli is a full-time faculty member in an associate degree nursing program, teaching prelicensure nursing students in classroom and clinical settings. Lorraine explains that she is, “particularly committed to supporting diverse and first-generation nursing students who may face barriers to academic success.” Her research interests include adverse childhood experiences, resilience, grit, academic achievement, student well-being, and strategies to strengthen the nursing workforce.
Jim Van Tassel is an adjunct professor at the Barbara H. Hagen School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Molloy University. As part of his research, he plans to study the social development of the developmentally disabled and how telemedicine use may affect that development. “I am excited to be part of the PhD program,” Jim said, “and to explore research areas that address issues affecting people with developmental disabilities.”
Both Lorraine and Jim are thrilled to be selected as Jonas Scholars. They join an incredibly talented cohort of doctoral nursing students from across the United States. This group of 80 Scholars contains a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including pediatrics, mental health, and veterans’ health.
