Nursing Leadership Program awards scholarships to three outstanding students

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Media Contact: Kirsi McDowell | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-8420 | kirsi@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Nursing Leadership Program recently awarded scholarships to three students through a partnership with the Oklahoma Nurses Association and grant funding from Upskill Oklahoma. 

The program is designed for emerging and experienced nurse leaders to provide advanced business and leadership education and offers two innovative learning opportunities to help nurses bridge the clinician-to-executive gap. Students have the option to pursue non-credit micro-credentials, or take for-credit graduate courses that lead to a certificate.

The OSU Nursing Leadership Program leverages expertise from across the OSU system in a first-of-its kind collaboration between academic and industry leaderships from OSU Nursing, the Spears School of Business, the Center for Health Sciences and the Oklahoma Nurses Association. 

Fall enrollment for both tracks is open through Sept. 20, and scholarships are still available. 

Interested nurses should contact program director Dr. Diane Cannon at diane.cannon@okstate.edu or visit nursing.okstate.edu for more information.

Scholarship Recipients 

Courtney Parks, RN, BSN is a passionate nurse leader with a heart for service and a drive to make a difference. Since beginning her nursing career in 2009, she has worked in critical care and recently advanced into leadership as the clinical nurse manager for the Progressive Care Unit at OSU Medical Center. Known for her positive energy and team-oriented mindset, Parks is committed to growth, leading change and making a meaningful impact on patients, staff and the future of health care. Outside of work, she is married and a proud mom of six children. She is on the graduate track.

 

 

Lauren Green, RN, BSN has spent over 10 years in nursing leadership and is eager to take on the challenge of graduate-level study to further her career. She has worked her way up from bedside nurse to charge nurse and nursing supervisor. Green is the manager of nursing logistics at OSU Medical Center, where she is in charge of finance, contracts, transfers, compliance and policies, and works to develop resource pools and creative staffing strategies. Green has a growth mindset and believes OSU's Nursing Leadership Program will build on her leadership and management skills to help ensure success for her future. 

 

 

Staci Winder, RN, BSN was raised in Burlington, Oklahoma, as the oldest of seven children. She always knew she wanted to be a nurse. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015 and has worked for 10 years in labor and delivery, and the newborn nursery. She and her husband, Austin, have three dogs, Chai, Ollie and Jax. Winder has a passion for helping patients and continuing education. She became a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) in 2019 and went on to gain national certifications as an RNC-OB and C-EFM. She became the birthplace director at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Enid in January 2025 and says her mission is to see all patients included in their care so they may have the best and safest outcomes. Winder is on the micro-credential track.

Story By: Faith Frantz | faith.frantz@okstate.edu