U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Visits McKendree University to Celebrate Success of Nursing Educator MSN Cohort
LEBANON, Ill. (March 30, 2026) — McKendree University hosted U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Monday for an event celebrating the success of the university’s Nursing Educator Master of Science in Nursing Cohort and the impact of the federal funding he helped secure to support it.
McKendree’s Division of Nursing was awarded $980,000 from Congressionally Directed Spending, which Durbin secured as part of the fiscal year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The grant covers tuition for 60 students enrolled in McKendree’s MSN nurse educator program and is designed to help address the shortage of nurse educators in rural and underserved communities across southern and south-central Illinois.
“Today’s visit represents a significant moment for McKendree University and for the many students, faculty, and partners who have helped bring this program to life,” said Daniel C. Dobbins, president of McKendree University. “We are grateful to Senator Durbin for his support of an initiative that is already helping expand access to graduate nursing education while strengthening the pipeline of nurse educators who will serve communities across our region.”
“Two years ago, I secured $980,000 in federal funding to help McKendree University launch a masters-level program to train nursing educators,” said Durbin. “This spring, the first class of nearly 60 masters-level nurses will graduate. These new graduates will train more nurses locally and help to address our workforce shortages so that we can improve access to care for Illinoisans.”
This spring, more than 50 students from the program are expected to graduate, with additional graduates to follow in December. By helping BSN-prepared nurses earn a master’s degree in nursing education, the program is strengthening the pipeline of qualified nurse educators and mentors who will help prepare the next generation of nurses throughout the region.
The Building a Rural Nurse Educator Workforce through Academic-Practice Partnerships grant is intended to serve 45 counties in the south and south-central regions of Illinois. McKendree developed the initiative through partnerships with Hospital Sisters Health System, Southern Illinois Healthcare, and several regional community colleges.
McKendree University’s Division of Nursing predominantly provides nursing education at the RN to BSN level; the Master of Science in Nursing level with tracks in education, management, and population health; the Master of Health Administration level; and the Doctor of Nursing Practice level to rural nurses and healthcare leaders in southern Illinois. The Division of Nursing has provided the MSN in nurse education degree since 2005.
For more information, please visit www.mckendree.edu.
About McKendree University
Founded in 1828 as the first institution of higher education in Illinois, McKendree
University is a nationally ranked, private university in Lebanon, Illinois. McKendree
offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs that provide a personalized, high-quality
educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership development, and
lifelong learning. McKendree is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report
as one of the Midwest’s Best Regional Universities, Best Value Schools, and Best Colleges
for Veterans. Learn more at www.mckendree.edu.
