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FNU News
At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Our blog features members of the FNU community who are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations. This is also where we keep you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming events. Welcome and check back often!
If you have news to share with FNU, please send it to us at FNUnews@frontier.edu. If you have a specific idea for a blog or podcast, please submit it through our form here. If you are a student or graduate and are interested in sharing your story with us please submit your story here. Read more about recent events, our mission and future goals in our FNU publications.
In 2025, Frontier Nursing University celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the inception of the Frontier Nursing Service. We are grateful for the students, alumni, couriers, donors, volunteers, friends, and employees who have made an incredible impact on FNU's century-long journey. We are celebrating this milestone year by capturing and sharing some of the countless stories that make up our history. Whatever your connection to FNU, we hope you enjoy these stories and are inspired to share your own story with us.
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Frontier Introduces New CE Course: The Gift of Precepting
Frontier’s new “The Gift of Precepting” CE course provides participants with information about the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the clinical preceptor in guiding and mentoring advanced practice nursing students in a variety of settings. It is divided into small segments to allow for learning at your own pace.

Should I Become an FNP, WHNP or a CNM?
Frontier Nursing University prepares advanced practice nurses to make a meaningful impact on the lives of diverse and underserved patients. When prospective students reach out to us with enthusiasm for the next step in their careers, one of the most common questions we receive is how to choose the right specialty when pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC). Many students are deciding between our Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specialties. To make an informed decision, it’s important to understand the distinct role and focus of each specialty.

Frontier Nursing University Names Kristin Ashford as New Dean of Nursing
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) announced that Dr. Kristin B. Ashford, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAAN, will be the university’s new Dean of Nursing effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Ashford replaces Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN, who retired at the end of February having served as FNU’s Dean of Nursing since 2018. Dr. Diane John, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, CNE, who has served as the Interim Dean of Nursing since March 1, will continue in that role until July 1. Dr. Ashford comes to FNU from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing, where she is a professor and Endowed Good Samaritan Chair for Community Nursing. She is the founder and director of the UK College of Nursing Perinatal and Research Center, leading an interprofessional team to translate research into practice while informing policy makers on maternal and child health issues. She is also the co-director of UK’s BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments).

Graduate Spotlight: Emily Levingston Luna, CNM, MSN, opens Vida Midwifery in rural New Mexico
Frontier graduate Emily Levingston Luna, CNM, MSN, is making a significant impact on midwifery care in her home community of Las Cruces, New Mexico. As the founder of Vida Midwifery, she is dedicated to expanding access to quality maternal healthcare in the region. Luna earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) specialty from FNU in 2018.

Faculty and Staff Representatives Appointed to Frontier Nursing University’s President’s Cabinet
Frontier Nursing University recently announced that two new members have been appointed to the university’s President’s Cabinet. Jenkins Michelle Lawhorn, DNP, CNM, RNC-OB, and Chris Turley, MS, BS, will serve on the President’s Cabinet throughout 2025.
If you have news to share with FNU, please send it to us at FNUnews@frontier.edu. If you have a specific idea for a blog post, please submit it through our form here. If you are a student or graduate and are interested in sharing your story with us please submit your story here.
Conferences and Events Calendar
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5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Learn More
Learn more about the work of our alumni, students, faculty and staff in our annual President’s Report and Quarterly Bulletins.