The Auburn Alumni Association recently announced the recipients of its inaugural Creed Grants, distributing $150,000 to support innovative programs throughout the campus. Funded by the contributions of Auburn Alumni Association Life Members and donors, these grants are intended to advance initiatives that reflect the principles outlined in the Auburn Creed. These awards, granted to five programs on campus, are both dedicated to, and focused on, the Auburn community.
Among five finalists to receive the grant in its inaugural year, the College of Nursing’s proposal, Success in Scrubs, was submitted by Stephanie Wood and Kendall Henderson.
The preamble to the proposal provides a comprehensive overview of its content: “Imagine being seventeen years old, knowing you want to serve your community by becoming a nurse, especially at a time when Alabama urgently needs more healthcare professionals. You enroll at Auburn University with dreams of becoming an Auburn nurse, determined to success. Yet, within your first semester, you struggle to meet the rigorous academic expectations, balance the demands of college life, and connect with other pre-nursing students. You need to ask for help but don’t know where to start, who to turn to, or even what questions you should ask.”
Stephanie Wood, academic program administrator, stated that, “Success in Scrubs is intended to address the academic, social, and wellness challenges encountered by nursing students at Auburn.”
“While students admitted to the Auburn University College of Nursing demonstrate exceptional academic promise, many face challenges in balancing the rigorous demands of nursing school with their mental, physical, and social well-being,” said Henderson, assistant clinical professor and academic coach. “As the Academic Coach for the program, I have the privilege of walking alongside students as they navigate these complexities. Too often, however, students are unsure of when to seek help — or how to take that first step.”
According to Henderson, the grant offers a transformative opportunity to provide proactive support, reaching students early — before challenges escalate. “By extending resources and guidance to students even before they officially enter the nursing program, we aim to normalize help-seeking behaviors and build a strong foundation for resilience and success,” she added.
“Funding will support mentorship, academic assistance, and community-building activities aimed at strengthening student resilience, academic performance, and sense of belonging. The program is expected to increase participation in AUCON events and workshops, thereby improving access to academic support and reducing withdrawal rates in foundational courses,” stated Wood.
“By addressing these three key areas, students will be better prepared to succeed in Auburn’s nursing program, persist through academic challenges, and graduate as confident and resilient healthcare professionals,” Wood said.
“At Auburn, the Auburn Family extends far beyond the walls of a classroom, or the time spent on campus,” said Wood. “By investing in meaningful connections while students are here and continuing to foster those relationships into their young alumni years, we create a lifelong pipeline of support, mentorship, and inspiration. Our vision is to help students succeed academically and, equally as important, to create a legacy where Auburn nurses support and encourage each other, generation after generation,” she stated.
Through mentorship, the program intends to cultivate leaders who not only thrive in their careers but also carry the Auburn spirit of service and belonging into their communities. “Together we build a legacy dream- where every Auburn nurse feels supported, connected, and inspired to give back,” Wood added.
“At the Auburn College of Nursing, our mission goes beyond academic preparation. We are committed to developing the whole student. With support from this grant, we can equip future nurses with the tools they need for professional identity formation and emotional regulation — skills that are essential not only for success in school, but for a long, meaningful, and impactful career in nursing,” said Henderson.
Through this initiative, Auburn University will establish a data-driven initiative designed to enhance student outcomes, uphold the institution’s standards of excellence, and further unify the Auburn community. Success in Scrubs serves as a model for holistic student support, embodying the values of the Auburn Creed while preparing future nurses to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
