“Frontline educator” is praised for shaping the preparation of the next generation of nurses.
Michelle R. Spencer, DNP ’19, MS ’06, BSN ’84, RN, assistant professor and director of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Community/Public Health Nursing specialty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded the Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Award in recognition of her contributions to nursing education.
Spencer was recognized for demonstrating excellence in “Contributions to Nursing Education,” one of five categories for recognition.
The award is part of the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II, a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). In 2024, the award was named in memory of Daw, DNP, RN-BC, CNE, FAAN, who significantly contributed to and made an impact on nursing and health care throughout the state of Maryland as the MHEC NSP II grant administrator for 12 years. Deans and directors of Maryland nursing programs may nominate one nurse faculty member at their institution for the one-time $10,000 award annually.
“Receiving the Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition award for Contributions to Nursing Education is a great honor,” Spencer said. “It affirms my commitment to excellence in nursing education. I sincerely appreciate this recognition and the support from my colleagues and institution."
Spencer joined UMSON in 2010 as an adjunct faculty member, and in 2012 she was appointed to full-time faculty as a clinical instructor, bringing more than 28 years of clinical experience to her teaching role. Her work focuses on addressing health disparities and serving vulnerable populations. After earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from UMSON in 2019, she was promoted to assistant professor. She previously earned her Master of Science in Community/Public Health Nursing and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), both from UMSON.
Spencer is responsible for the community/public health courses and clinical experiences for the BSN program, RN-to-BSN program, and entry-into-nursing master’s programs, as well as having responsibility for the MSN in Community/Public Health. Collectively, these programs prepare nearly 1,100 students each year.
“Too often exceptional nursing faculty are not recognized for their consistent day-in and day-out contributions to nursing education,” Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and professor, wrote in a letter of nomination. “Therefore, it is my privilege to nominate Dr. Spencer as an exemplary faculty member and frontline educator helping to shape the preparation of the next generation of nurses.”