SIC nursing instructor honored with fellowship
Sessaly Davis, a nursing instructor at Southeastern Illinois College, has been awarded the prestigious Nurse Educator Fellowship Grant by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).
The $10,000 fellowship recognizes Davis’s outstanding dedication to nursing education, student success, and professional development.
Davis began her nursing journey at SIC, where she completed her associate degree in nursing in 2012. She later earned a bachelor of science in nursing in 2018 and a master of science in nursing in 2019. Returning to SIC as an instructor in 2018, Davis has drawn on her extensive clinical experience in medical-surgical nursing, wound care, leadership and education to prepare future nurses for success.
“I am honored to receive this fellowship and excited to use the funds to further my commitment to both clinical excellence and academic rigor,” Davis said. “This opportunity allows me to enhance my professional skills and support my mission of developing competent, compassionate, and skilled nursing professionals.”
The Nurse Educator Fellowship Program aims to retain highly qualified nursing faculty across Illinois by supporting their professional growth. Funded by an $800,000 state appropriation, the program underscores a commitment to addressing equity gaps in nursing education and fostering a diverse workforce.
Davis plans to use the fellowship funds to attend professional development opportunities such as the ACEN Self-Study Forum, NurseCon at Sea, and the Nursing World Conference. These events will enable her to stay current with best practices, enhance teaching strategies, and better serve SIC’s nursing students.
Emily York, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at SIC, praised Davis for her exceptional contributions: “Sessaly’s leadership and passion for nursing education inspire both students and colleagues. Her recognition through this fellowship is well deserved, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our program and community.”