Kelsey Gilmet Selected for Prestigious National League for Nursing Leadership Institute

Kelsey Gilmet, a clinical instructor of nursing and associate director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, has been selected for the prestigious National League for Nursing LEAD Leadership Institute. Gilmet is one of only 26 nurse educators and practicing nurses selected to participate in the LEAD program this year.

Gilmet joined the College of Education and Health Professions faculty in 2016, holding various roles while teaching in the School of Nursing's pre-licensure program. She is passionate about advancing population health, supporting at-risk groups and addressing workforce challenges to benefit the nursing field. Her selection for the LEAD program expands Gilmet's leadership opportunities.

"Being selected for the LEAD program is exciting and meaningful to me," Gilmet said. "It's an opportunity to grow as a leader in nursing education, connect with colleagues from across the country and learn new ways to make a positive impact on students, faculty and our profession."

Gilmet will spend the year engaging in activities focused on setting and achieving clear personal and professional goals, developing effective leadership strategies and leveraging her expertise to achieve specific institutional outcomes. The yearlong LEAD program, established in 2011, is designed to equip educators to lead initiatives that advance nursing education nationwide.

"I expect the NLN LEAD experience to strengthen how I approach leadership, collaboration and innovation in my work at the University of Arkansas and within the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing," Gilmet said. "The program also aligns closely with the goals of the Katie S. Thompson Faculty Fellowship I received, which is designed to help support nursing faculty leaders and advance excellence in teaching, scholarship and clinical education."

As a part of the program, Gilmet will participate in one-on-one executive and group coaching sessions, as well as leadership webinars, all designed to develop actionable leadership skills. LEAD participants will collaborate in person three times throughout the year to work on initiatives designed to foster professional growth and positively impact their home institutions. Gilmet said she anticipates these experiences will enhance her effectiveness in her role at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing.

"Being selected is both an honor and a chance to be inspired and challenged in ways that will help me contribute even more to the University of Arkansas and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing," she said. "I am most looking forward to continuing to learn from my NLN LEAD cohort, building relationships with nurse educators from across the country and seeing what meaningful, practical changes we can help move forward for students, faculty and the profession."