Two U of A PhD nursing students named 2026-2028 Jonas Scholars
Two University of Arizona (U of A) College of Nursing PhD students have been named Jonas Scholars for 2026-2028, bringing $24,000 in grant funding from Jonas Philanthropies to support their doctoral studies.
Kaylee Fauvell and Rachel Knight are among 80 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students selected for the prestigious Jonas Scholars program. They are the seventh and eighth U of A College of Nursing students to receive this honor. Each student will receive $12,000 from Jonas Philanthropies, which the College of Nursing will match with an additional $12,000, for a total of $24,000 per scholar over two years.
“We are honored to receive Jonas funding again to support two exceptional scholars,” said Sheila M. Gephart, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and interim Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs. “Our PhD program has a long-standing tradition of excellence in nursing, and our past Jonas scholars have demonstrated how advanced nursing education can deepen understanding of health care policy and broaden academic nursing’s impact on the health of individuals and communities.”
Cindy J. Rishel, PhD, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, interim dean and clinical professor at the College of Nursing, said the funding underscores the importance of investing in doctoral students who will help shape the profession’s future. “Kaylee and Rachel have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing health care and improving others’ lives,” Rishel said. “This opportunity will provide them with additional resources, mentorship and connections as they continue developing their research and preparing for leadership roles in nursing.”
The College of Nursing joins Jonas Philanthropies’ national effort to improve health care quality by investing in nursing scholars whose research and clinical interests address some of the nation’s most urgent health care needs. The Jonas Scholars program provides recipients with financial assistance, leadership development, mentorship, networking, and a curriculum designed to prepare them for future roles as nursing faculty, researchers, and advanced-practice nurses.
Fauvell and Knight are among the scholars selected for their academic excellence, research skills, and commitment to teaching. The cohort encompasses a wide range of research interests focused on pressing health care challenges, including pediatrics, mental health, gerontology, and veterans’ health. As Jonas Scholars, Fauvell and Knight will have access to learning experiences and professional development to support their transition to faculty roles.
Jonas Nursing's mission is to strengthen the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who help address the nursing shortage, educate the future nursing workforce, and invest in the health and well-being of underserved communities. The Jonas Scholars program is made possible by a grant from Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Below are brief biographies and comments from the two 2026-2028 U of A Jonas Scholars.
Kaylee Fauvell
What does being named a Jonas Scholar mean to you? Being a Jonas Scholar means I have been given the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader, nurse researcher, and nurse educator. It will expand my reach and help me have a greater impact on my future nursing students. I look forward to learning and growing in the program.
How will the program help in the pursuit of a doctoral degree? The Jonas Scholar program will help me pursue my doctoral degree by providing financial support and the tools to positively impact health care and nursing research. The program will ease some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and growth as a nurse researcher.
What is your research focus? My research focuses on parents of infants with concurrent congenital heart disease (CHD) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and on their experiences with stress, psychological safety, and decision-making. I aim to better understand how to support these parents during times of great difficulty. This research will help us understand how to empower these parents to make confident decisions for their critically ill child in a supportive environment.
Why did you choose U of A College of Nursing? I chose the College of Nursing for its reputation for excellence. I know others who graduated from this college, and they have made a positive impact on health care because of what they learned and the connections they made at the University of Arizona.
As a PhD student, I would not have made it through this program without my advisor, Dr. Sheila Gephart. She is an inspiring example of the nurse researcher I aspire to become. Her guidance and encouragement have made an already rigorous program feel manageable. She has helped me stay focused, learn from every experience, and keep my attention on what matters most. I am deeply grateful for Dr. Gephart’s thoughtful leadership and mentorship over the past few years.
I am also grateful to the College of Nursing faculty for sharing their knowledge and letting me learn from them. They have helped shape who I am and who I hope to become as a nurse researcher. My PhD cohort has been my rock and a constant source of encouragement. They have cheered me on through challenges, and I am incredibly grateful for their friendship.
Rachel Knight
What does being named a Jonas Scholar mean to you? Being named a Jonas Scholar is truly an honor. It means a great deal to have my work and goals recognized, especially as I continue to develop as a nurse scientist. I am passionate about improving care for older adults, and this recognition encourages me to continue building research that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
How will the program help in the pursuit of a doctoral degree? The Jonas Scholar program will give me opportunities to grow personally and professionally throughout my PhD journey. I am especially excited to connect with other doctoral students and nursing leaders, learn from their experiences, and continue strengthening my skills in research, leadership, and scientific communication.
What is your research focus? My research focuses on the intersection of aging, chronic pain, and opioid-related care. I am particularly interested in understanding the experiences of older adults receiving long-term prescription opioid therapy and how factors such as treatment benefits and risks, stigma, medication changes, and communication with health care providers shape their care. Through my current LISTEN study, I hope to better understand older adults’ perspectives and use those insights to help make chronic pain and opioid-related care safer, more individualized, and more patient-centered.
Why did you choose U of A College of Nursing? I chose the College of Nursing because I was seeking a program that would help me grow as a researcher while pursuing work with real impact on patients and communities. I have appreciated the strong mentorship, flexibility, and opportunities to tailor my doctoral education to my interests in aging, opioid-related care, and community-engaged research.
I am especially grateful to Dr. Beth Meyerson, my mentor and dissertation committee chair. She has been instrumental in shaping the LISTEN study and in helping me develop a clearer vision of the nurse scientist I hope to become. Her mentorship has challenged me to think more deeply about community engagement, population health, and the broader impact my research can have. I am incredibly thankful for her guidance, encouragement, and continued belief in me as I grow throughout my doctoral journey.