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Capers, Cynthia Flynn Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Leadership

The Cynthia Flynn Capers Endowed Fund for Nursing Student Leadership (formerly The Cynthia Flynn Capers Endowed Fund for Nursing Students' Success) was established in 1997 by Cynthia Flynn Capers, Ph.D., then dean of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ College of Nursing. The fund's name and description were revised in 2013, 2017, and 2024.

Dr. Capers retired from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2012 as special assistant to the provost. She joined ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 1997 as dean of the College of Nursing, and subsequently served as interim dean of the College of Education prior to joining the Provost's Office. In 2002, while dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. Capers brought Cameos of Caring® to northeast Ohio, an event which celebrated the nursing profession and recognized outstanding contributions by local nurses. In 2010, she was the 100th Cameos award recipient in recognition of her leadership and advocacy for nursing. Dr. Capers is also the founder of the Academic Leadership Forum at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, a professional development program for faculty and administrators.

Dr. Capers' commitment to the Akron community has been as strong as her link to the University and the nursing profession. She has served on numerous local and national boards and committees for the improvement of health, welfare, and education within the community. She completed her initial nursing education at Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. and earned her baccalaureate degree from the University of Maryland. Her master and doctoral degrees and post-doctoral work were obtained at the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Fellow of the American Nurses Association, Minority Fellowship Program for doctoral and post-doctoral work and completed the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education program.

The purpose of the fund is to benefit nursing students who need support for leadership development, and it can be used by nursing students in good academic standing to defray expenses for any of the following:

• Attending professional development training, including meetings and conferences
• Program-approved international learning experiences
• Study skills for individuals or groups of students
• Preparatory courses for the professional licensure exam (NCLEX)
• Other programs that are consistent with the purpose of the fund as outlined in this agreement

This fund is not intended to be used to help defray the cost of tuition. Instead, it should be used for supportive services to assist nursing students in their successful completion of academic programs and for leadership development. Undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Nursing are eligible for funds; however, preference will be given to undergraduate students. The Executive Director of the School of Nursing, or their designee, in collaboration with the Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, will approve of the use of funds.

To make a tax-deductible gift to this fund, please visit ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Cynthia Flynn Capers Nursing Fund” in the text box. Thank you!