Supported by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the Jonas Scholars Program aims to strengthen the nursing profession by expanding the pool of PhD- and DNP-prepared nurses who will educate and mentor the next generation of nurse leaders.

Cuomo was selected for the program based on her commitment to nursing education, academic excellence and research. As a Jonas Scholar, she will receive financial support, mentorship and access to a curriculum designed to prepare doctoral nursing students for successful careers in academia and nursing leadership.

For Cuomo, that commitment to nursing and nursing education is deeply personal, shaped by the example of her mother and her own journey in the profession.

“I became a nurse because I grew up watching my mother be one,” Cuomo said. “From an early age, I witnessed the compassion, strength and dedication she brought to caring for others. She was my first role model and my earliest example of what it truly means to be a nurse. Her influence inspired me to pursue nursing and continues to shape the nurse, educator and advocate I strive to be today.”

Cuomo has returned to Quinnipiac to pursue her doctoral education, continuing an academic journey rooted in her commitment to advancing the nursing profession.

“Victoria's selection as a Jonas Scholar is a tremendous honor and a reflection of her commitment to academic excellence, leadership and advancing the nursing profession,” said Professor Carolyn Bradley, director of graduate online nursing programs. “We are incredibly proud of Victoria’s accomplishments and look forward to the impact she will have in shaping the future of nursing education and healthcare. Her selection also highlights the caliber of our doctoral nursing students and Quinnipiac University’s commitment to preparing nurse leaders who are equipped to address complex healthcare challenges and improve outcomes for the communities they serve.”

The mission of Jonas Nursing is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce and by investing in the health and well-being of our most underserved communities.