Through a generous $1.5 million gift from Professor Emerita Rose Mays, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Indiana University School of Nursing has established the Rose Cole Mays Professorship in Health Equity, an endowed position designed to advance research, education, and leadership focused on reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for underserved communities.
Mays, who served on the School of Nursing faculty for 37 years, is a respected nursing educator, researcher, and champion of community engagement. The professorship reflects her lifelong commitment to advancing health equity for all and her lasting impact on the nursing profession.
The professorship will support faculty leadership, research, and scholarship focused on health equity, helping prepare the next generation of nurse clinicians and researchers to address persistent gaps in healthcare access and outcomes. It also strengthens the school’s ability to recruit and retain nationally recognized leaders in health equity research.
“This professorship reflects a powerful commitment to advancing health equity research including community engaged research,” said Janet S. Carpenter, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the IU School of Nursing. “Dr. Mays’ legacy as an educator, mentor, and advocate inspires us to lead meaningful change and improve health outcomes for the communities that need it most.”
The faculty member holding the Rose Cole Mays Professorship in Health Equity will lead research and innovation to remove barriers and expand access to high-quality, person-centered care, particularly for at-risk populations. The impact is expected to extend to nursing students, graduate researchers, and the communities they serve through evidence-based initiatives and partnerships.
“The IU School of Nursing has been my professional home for many years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in its future,” Mays said. “I hope this professorship will inspire innovative research, meaningful community partnerships, and a continued commitment to health equity.”
The announcement highlights Dr. Mays’ professional legacy in pediatric nursing, research and mentorship, as well as her leadership on behalf of the school. In 1996 she and Dr. David Williams served as fundraising chairs for the campaign that established the Emily Holmquist Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Oncology—IU School of Nursing’s first endowed professorship.
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About IU School of Nursing
The IU School of Nursing is annually ranked among the top nursing schools in the nation. Founded in 1914, the school offers programs from the BSN through the post-doctorate and is composed of campuses in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis. The IU School of Nursing is ranked No. 13 in the nation for undergraduate nursing programs and its online MSN in Nursing Education is ranked No. 6 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Media Contact: Glenda Shaw | 317-278-2048 | glenshaw@iu.edu