By Gil Pound

T wenty-seven Georgia College & State University nursing and pre-nursing students, including seven incoming freshmen, have received a combined $400,000 in full 2025-26 scholarships to strengthen the state’s nursing pipeline.

The incoming first-years mark the fourth group to benefit from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Nursing Scholars Program available through the GCSU College of Health Sciences School of Nursing. Launched in 2022, the scholarship program awards funds to aspiring nurses who demonstrate a financial need through their FAFSA forms. Recipients must reside in one of 15 Central Georgia counties in an effort to specifically increase the nursing pipeline in the region.

“These students have chosen to meet the calling to become nurses with dedication and with heart,” said GCSU President Cathy Cox. “We’re very proud that each of them is already accomplishing great things with their lives. We are really grateful to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation for its steadfast commitment to supporting our nursing program and the cohort model we have developed.”

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation aids college students at some 200 schools across nine southeastern states. In that service area, GCSU is one of only 10 institutions to offer the nursing cohort model, unlocking larger, recurring scholarship awards for its students.

More Than Money

The cohort model also brings scholarship recipients together as a community of learners in the nursing field. They are able to build relationships that begin in college and extend into their careers.

“While the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship offers invaluable financial support, its impact goes far beyond tuition assistance,” said Dr. Jennifer Goldsberry, interim director of the GCSU School of Nursing. “Our scholars benefit from a unique mentorship experience within a close-knit cohort of aspiring nurses, living and learning together throughout their academic journey. The program fosters leadership, service and personal growth, requiring each scholar to complete volunteer service hours each month and lead a philanthropic project each semester. It's a transformative experience that shapes not only exceptional nurses, but compassionate leaders committed to giving back.”

Students in the program also attend special events, like the kickoff luncheon held July 22 at Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion.

“The scholarship has helped keep me accountable,” said Madison Townsend, a senior from Warner Robins. “We have good leadership through our cohort executive board and our advisors. They keep you pushing forward and remind you why we’re here."

Townsend and Hannah Pelt are seniors who have been in the program since its launch. Both are on track to graduate in December and enter a health care workforce where nurses are sorely needed. According to a 2024 report from the federal Health Resources Service Administration, Georgia is among the top 10 states projected to be most affected by a nursing shortage between now and 2037.

“I wouldn’t have the opportunity to graduate from nursing school if I didn’t have this scholarship,” said Pelt, a Macon native who serves as president of the GCSU nursing scholars group. “It has really opened doors for me. Serving as president has provided me with valuable leadership experience that I can take into my career.”

Students who maintain admission requirements are also guaranteed admission into the School of Nursing’s competitive Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a benefit the seven incoming freshmen are looking forward to.

Taylor Watford of Cochran is one of the incoming nursing scholars. She chose nursing because she has seen firsthand, through her grandfather’s hospital visits, the difference nurses can make in a hospital experience.

“It was always the nurses that made his stays feel more welcoming and comfortable,” Watford said. “I’m blessed to be able to get this education with the scholarship covering it so I can go forth and be the light in other peoples’ hospital visits.”

Other freshmen new to the program are Allie Baggett, Abi Bragg, Eden Frayne, Sarah Hawkins, Jade Stephens and Madelyn Taylor.

Header Images: The GCSU Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Nursing Scholars with President Cathy Cox, Interim Provost Dr. Holley Roberts, College of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Will Evans, School of Nursing Interim Director Dr. Jennifer Goldsberry and Lettie Pate Whitehead Coordinator Dr. Morgan Fordham. (Photos: Gil Pound)