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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Jefferson College of Nursing prepares tomorrow’s nurse leaders to advance health outcomes in communities they serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment where every individual is respected, has a voice and is provided equal access to resources and opportunities. Our aim is to create a culture of belonging for our students, faculty, staff and all of our College’s stakeholders.

Jefferson College of Nursing’s strategy to advance diversity, equity and inclusion is inspired by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's emphasis on DEI it its FY 2023-2025 strategic goals.

The College shares AACN’s commitment to "promoting a diverse nursing workforce, creating inclusive learning environments, ending structural racism, and striving toward health equity.” This is essential to fulfilling of our mission to improve lives.

Message from the Dean

Improving academic and healthcare outcomes are worldwide concerns. We prepare students to lead initiatives for equitable health in our communities from day one. 

As Dean of Jefferson College of Nursing, I am honored to lead the preparation of nurse leaders in the Philadelphia region, one of the nation’s most diverse areas. The College benefits immeasurably from the wide range of experiences and ideas that our students, faculty and staff bring here. There is no better way to offer experiential learning than to immerse students in an environment that challenges their thinking and enhances their skills as a nurse.

We are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels that contributions are valued and where all of us benefit from the diversity around us. Our Jefferson College of Nursing’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is helping me lead this charge and is deeply engaged in strategic work to ensure we meet this commitment. Together, we take action to exemplify the Jefferson College of Nursing’s vision of reimagining, transforming and disrupting the way nurses lead and impact society.

Our success in building a more inclusive and equitable institution requires openness both to new ideas and to constructive criticism of our efforts. With that in mind, I invite you to contact us with any observations/recommendations you have about our work to ensure the highest degree of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College.

Marie Ann Marino EdD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Thomas Jefferson University - College of Nursing
Vice President, Nursing Academic Partnerships & Innovation 
Jefferson Health

Commitment to Diversity

Thomas Jefferson University has a long and proud history of contributing to the national healthcare workforce. We aspire to create a diverse and inclusive environment, knowing that the creative energy and innovative insights that result from diversity are vital for the intellectual rigor and social fabric of the University. It is also requisite for a highly effective healthcare workforce of the future. As a scholarly community, the University welcomes people of all racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, national and international backgrounds, diversity of thought, pedagogy, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, political affiliation and disability.

Jefferson College of Nursing is honored to be among 13 nursing programs nationwide selected to participate in the Eliminating Structural Racism in Nursing Academia: A Systems Change Approach to Anti-Racist Nursing Education collaborative. This initiative, supported by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, aims to systematically address and dismantle structural racism within academic nursing programs.​

JCN’s dedicated team for this collaborative includes:​

  • Lisa Whitfield-Harris, PhD, MBA, MSN, NEA-BC, RN​
  • Karla A. Bell, PT, DPT, PhD​
  • Clara Granda-Cameron, DrNP, ANP-BC, AOCN​
  • Stephen DiDonato, PhD, LPC

This initiative builds upon the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Leading Across Multidimensional Perspectives (LAMP) Survey, focusing on key areas such as:

  • Academic culture and climate​
  • Clinical environments​
  • Curriculum and pedagogy​
  • Inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, and students of color​

By adopting a systems-thinking approach, JCN aims to enhance psychological safety and foster a culture of belonging within our academic community. This endeavor aligns with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as outlined in our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives.​

We are proud to contribute to this critical movement toward anti-racist nursing education and remain dedicated to advancing health equity and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our work.

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