12-week initiative strengthens faculty scholarship and Marian University’s growing research momentum
The Leighton School of Nursing at Marian University is strengthening its research foundation by investing in the people closest to its mission: its faculty.
Through a new 12-week Research Proposal Development Program, nursing faculty are gaining the tools and mentorship needed to design fundable research and build a stronger pipeline of scholarship that extends into graduate education and clinical practice.
For some participants, the experience is deeply personal as well.
Laura Fishburn ’14 and Mackenzie Flynn ’10, now faculty members at Marian, once studied under Dr. Karen Hardin, a longtime professor and donor who supports the initiative through the Mary K. McGinnis and Mary Lynn Hardin Endowed Faculty Scholarly Award. Their return as scholars marks a full-circle moment, underscoring the school’s growing culture of mentorship and academic inquiry.
“This experience created a collaborative space for faculty to grow as scholars together,” said Flynn, MSN, CPNP-AC/PC, who also served as a program coordinator. “It reflects both the strength of our faculty and the opportunity to further develop that strength.”
The program was led by Robert Topp, PhD, RN, co-founder of Elevating Healthcare Scholarship, and focused on equipping faculty with the structure, feedback, and momentum needed to advance research ideas into competitive proposals.
“By equipping faculty with the tools, mentorship, and momentum to develop fundable proposals, this initiative is a transformative step in expanding research capacity,” Topp said. “It empowers nurse scholars to generate knowledge that improves healthcare.”
Participants say the impact extends beyond faculty development.
“This experience supported my development as a researcher and will strengthen the doctoral projects I lead,” said Marie Goez, DNP, CRNA, APRN, a graduate faculty member and clinician at Washington University’s Department of Anesthesia.
University leadership sees the program as part of Marian’s broader commitment to expanding research and scholarly impact.
“It is exciting to see the continued growth of research within the Leighton School of Nursing,” said Dr. Jonathan Lowery, PhD, assistant provost of research and scholarship. “As we expand our research capacity, initiatives like this help unlock the potential of our faculty and position nursing as a key driver of Marian University’s momentum.”
The inaugural cohort included Marie Beechy, Teri Farno, Mackenzie Flynn, Marie Goez, Kerri Irwin, Jackline Nekola, Laura Fishburn, Angela Myers, Ruth Ozoug, Stacey Skillman-Holtgrave, and Carolynn Spraque.
As Marian continues to build toward its long-term research goals, programs like this are helping ensure that growth is not only strategic but also sustainable.