Barry University is proud to announce that Glenda S. Perez, a doctoral candidate in our Nursing PhD program, has been awarded a 2024 Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship, granted by a nonprofit organization that has supported nurses since 1912, recognizes Glenda’s exceptional commitment to advancing nursing education and addressing critical issues in healthcare.

A Journey of Perseverance and Purpose

Glenda Perez’s journey is one of resilience and dedication. Her passion for education was ignited early in life as she witnessed her family’s struggles to adapt to a new life in the United States. Emigrating from Cuba during the massive migrant exodus of 1994, Glenda’s family arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs and dreams of a better future. These experiences instilled in Glenda a deep desire to honor her family’s sacrifices through education.

Glenda’s determination led her to become the first person in her family to graduate from college in over a century. She continued her academic journey, eventually pursuing a graduate-level nursing education. It was during this time that Glenda began to notice significant gaps in healthcare, particularly in the care of vulnerable populations. This realization fueled her transition to a nurse educator role, where she has made it her mission to support and guide undergraduate nursing students from minority backgrounds.

Advocating for Vulnerable Populations

Glenda’s extensive clinical experience across various healthcare settings, including home health, medical-surgical, psychiatric, surgical, and obstetric care, allows her to bring real-world applications into the classroom. Her specialization in obstetric nursing, coupled with certifications in inpatient obstetrics and electronic fetal monitoring, highlights her commitment to women’s health.

Currently, Glenda serves as a passionate advocate for women’s health and vulnerable populations in South Florida. She works with a nonprofit healthcare institution and remains actively engaged in professional organizations such as Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, the National Hispanic Nurses Association, The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Empowering Nurses Through Research

The NEF Scholarship will enable Glenda to further her research on human trafficking in nursing education. She aims to equip nurse educators with evidence-based training and best practices for teaching this critical content. Glenda’s research is grounded in practicality, with a focus on developing real-world solutions that address the complexities of human trafficking. She believes that nurses are uniquely positioned to lead efforts to eradicate human trafficking by providing ethical, dignity-preserving healthcare to all individuals.

Glenda Perez’s complete academic and professional biography, along with those of all 2024 NEF scholars, can be found on the NEF website.

About NEF Scholarships

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, personal essays, reference letters, and ongoing study in graduate nursing programs across the United States. These scholarships provide direct financial support to students, helping them to continue their studies in advanced clinical practice, education, research, administration, and health policy.

For more information about applying for an NEF Scholarship, visit the NEF website. The next application cycle opens on October 1, 2024, and closes on February 3, 2025.

Barry University congratulates Glenda Perez on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to the continued impact of her work in nursing education and beyond.