Western Illinois nursing instructor wins 2026 fellowship award
Penny Pollock, an instructor at Western Illinois University’s School of Nursing, has been selected for the 2026 Illinois Nurse Fellowship Award, according to a community announcement.
The $10,000 award from the Illinois Council of Higher Education is intended to support nursing faculty across the state. Pollock plans to use the funds to improve its educational tools and professional development.
Penny Pollock has been selected for a 2026 Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) Illinois Nursing Fellowship.
“My goal is to equip students with the fundamental skills, clinical judgment and confidence necessary for academic and clinical success,” Pollock said in the announcement. “A strong foundation in the first year of nursing education is critical to student success and long-term retention in the program. »
Pollock has 34 years of nursing experience and 15 years of teaching expertise.
The scholarship aims to retain nursing professors
The Nurse Educator Scholarship Program is designed to retain qualified nursing faculty at Illinois nursing degree-granting institutions. This year, IBHE awarded $800,000 in scholarships, providing up to 80 nursing instructors with salary supplements for professional development, conference fees, continuing education and professional dues.
Pollock’s role at WIU
Pollock plays a vital role in the academic success and retention of nursing students at WIU, according to Patricia Eathington, director of nursing at the university.
“Her commitment to equity in nursing education is evident in her teaching philosophy and practice,” Eathington said. “She always goes above and beyond to support students who may face academic, social or financial barriers to success. »
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This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: WIU’s Penny Pollock wins $10,000 prize to boost nursing education
