PLU doctoral nursing student Hanot Abioye named 2026-2028 Jonas Scholar
Image: Jonas Scholar recipient Hanot Abioye poses for a portrait, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at PLU. (PLU Photo / Sy Bean)
By Britt Board
Assistant Director of Communications
Pacific Lutheran University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student Hanot Abioye has been selected as one of 80 doctoral nursing students nationwide for the prestigious 2026-2028 Jonas Scholars Program, which supports the development of future nursing educators and leaders.
“This recognition highlights the strength and potential of our graduate nursing students and reflects our commitment to developing nurse leaders who will make meaningful contributions to the profession and our community,” says Jaime Navetta, DNP program chair and associate professor.
Selected for their academic achievement, commitment to teaching, and research skills, Jonas Scholars receive financial support, mentorship, and specialized training over two years to prepare them for careers in nursing education.
For Abioye, the recognition is especially meaningful because it supports work she’s passionate about — making mental health care more accessible and giving people more tools to manage their own wellbeing. “Being named a Jonas Scholar is both a profound honor and a catalyst for my development as a healthcare leader,” Abioye says. “This scholarship provides more than financial support. It gives me a platform to advocate for integrating complementary and integrative health modalities, like Qigong, into mainstream practice.”
Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, is the focus of Abioye’s doctoral project. Her research examines its impact on anxiety levels among adults, exploring its potential as a non-pharmacological approach to managing anxiety.
In Abioye’s Words: Why Nursing is My Vocation
“My path into nursing began with a fundamental desire to connect human compassion with clinical science. What drew me to the profession initially was the unique privilege of being present for individuals during their most vulnerable moments.
What has kept me deeply committed, however, is witnessing the profound impact that evidence-based, holistic care can have on patient outcomes. Over time, my passion has evolved from providing exceptional bedside care to recognizing the systemic changes needed to improve health outcomes on a larger scale.”
Her experience in PLU’s School of Nursing has also helped shape her goals. “Mentorship from PLU faculty has shown me how to lead with empathy, courage, and clinical excellence, so that I will leave PLU ready to make a meaningful difference in healthcare systems,” Abioye shares.
The Jonas Scholars program, supported by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by preparing doctoral-level nurses to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.
My experience at Pacific Lutheran University has fundamentally shaped the kind of nurse and leader I aspire to be. I have been fortunate to learn from knowledgeable, deeply experienced teachers and faculty members who are genuinely invested in my growth and success.
