College of Nursing Joins ‘Florida Atlantic Day at the State Capitol’ Delegation

Florida Atlantic delegation (Gabriel Fonarov at far right) at the State Capitol with State Representative Debra Tendrich.

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing representatives joined the university’s delegation for Florida Atlantic Day at the State Capitol, from October 13 to15. While in Tallahassee, the group came together to meet with state legislators and their staff, advocate for university priorities and celebrate student success and achievements including Florida Atlantic’s R1 Carnegie Designation as a top-tier research university.

Freshman Direct Admit student Gabriel Fonarov joined the student delegation. He shared the impact Nursing Owls have across the Sunshine State in research and practice, as well as what nursing students require in order to reach their goals and enter the workforce. Fonarov described the importance of funding a new Multi-disciplinary Health Professions Clinical Training and Research Facility at Florida Atlantic which will create simulation, clinical and research space to train the next generation of doctors, nurses and social workers.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” shared Fonarov. “The most valuable part for me was building connections. I gained first-hand insights about where decisions are made, and I was able to meet directly with legislators and their aides. All of them were genuinely interested in our work, our research, and they wanted to know what we thought as regular, everyday students.”

Fonarov also serves as president of the College of Nursing’s Student Council, where he leads efforts to strengthen communications between nursing students and faculty.

“I enjoyed being able to network with other students who are equally interested in government, leaders in their student organizations and passionate about changing policy for a brighter future,” noted Fonarov.