Dillon receives President’s Student Leadership and Service Award

Doctor of Nursing Practice student Tara Dillon, MA, MN, RN, PHN, was named a recipient of the 2025 President’s Student Leadership and Service Award for her demonstrated leadership and service. The award is one of the University’s highest student honors.

Dillon is a DNP student in the psychiatric mental health specialty and has served as a graduate research assistant for RE Lab: Strengthening Forensic Nursing. As a graduate assistant, she developed and implemented a trauma-informed self-care workshop composed of in-person and recorded mini-sessions.  She also served as a full partner in the creation of RE Lab’s innovative forensic nurse residency, which fills a national gap for nursing professional development.

“She has blended her counseling expertise with her student-gained nursing skills to effectively debrief our nurse residents following very intense patient encounters. She applies best practices for adult learning and tailors her approach to meet individual needs. Tara’s ability to integrate ideas from literature enriched this project work,” her nomination letter stated.

The President’s Student Leadership and Service Award is a collaboration between the Office of the President, Office for Student Affairs, and Alumni Association.