$12 million commitment from The Howley Foundation expands Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program at Penn Medicine

A $12 million commitment from The Howley Foundation will expand educational opportunities for Philadelphia high school students while strengthening the region's nursing workforce. The investment builds on the success of the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), an innovative pipeline program that encourages and prepares local students for careers in nursing—including covering tuition at La Salle University’s School of Nursing—while helping address one of Pennsylvania's most pressing workforce needs.

“We are grateful for The Howley Foundation's steadfast commitment to Penn and the Philadelphia community,” said J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, President of the University of Pennsylvania. “As a University, we have a responsibility to ensure that talented young people can access the education, mentorship, and career opportunities that allow them to thrive. The Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program reflects our commitment to fostering opportunity and creating positive impact that extends beyond our campus across the Philadelphia region.”

Established through a partnership among HUP, The Howley Foundation, and La Salle University, the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program introduces Philadelphia high school students to careers in nursing beginning in their junior year. Through an enrichment program, students participate in hands-on learning experiences, including shadow days with nurses and other clinicians at HUP. Along the way, they receive academic mentorship and guidance while gaining firsthand insight into the nursing profession as they prepare for college.

“Cultivating the next generation of nurses is central to Penn Medicine’s ethos,” said Jonathan A. Epstein, MD, dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System. “Through this important investment in the future of nursing, The Howley Foundation is enhancing our ability to address one of health care’s greatest needs. We are proud of the success the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program has achieved and excited to build on that momentum in the years to come.”

Each year, the program accepts 25 outstanding Philadelphia high school juniors as Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars. Since launching in 2022, the program has received 333 applications from students representing 78 Philadelphia high schools. The program is highly competitive; only one in six applicants is accepted, which shows the deep interest and excitement around the field of nursing, as well as the need for a program of this kind to create access.

“The Howley Foundation’s goal has always been to help students reach their full potential, regardless of their economic circumstances,” said Nick Howley, chairman of The Howley Foundation. “The success of the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program has reinforced our belief that when young people are given access to education, mentorship, and opportunity, they can achieve extraordinary things for themselves and for their communities.”

After graduating from high school, eligible scholars who choose to continue in the program and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at La Salle University receive a scholarship that offsets most of the tuition cost, as well as housing and books, funded jointly by The Howley Foundation and Penn Medicine. While enrolled, students apply for paid positions at HUP to gain clinical experience and continue to receive mentorship from HUP nurses and explore the many career pathways available within nursing.

The program’s partnership with La Salle University reflects a deliberate commitment to setting students up for success—pairing a rigorous nursing education with the academic support structures that allow scholars to flourish. The program has also been supportive of the different paths scholars choose, if they pursue nursing. For example, scholars who earn admission to other esteemed nursing programs in the region, including Penn and Drexel, are welcome to remain part of the Howley ASPIRE community. The Howley Foundation remains deeply involved in the students’ journey, with Meg Howley, the executive director of The Howley Foundation in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and others regularly joining interviews and programming to help shape a meaningful experience for each scholar.

“The Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program provides students with a clear path into the nursing profession while fortifying the future nursing workforce,” said Colleen Mattioni, DNP, RN, CNOR, chief nurse executive at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “From mentorship and clinical experiences to tuition support at La Salle University, every part of the program is designed to prepare students for success. Additionally, HUP nurses have the benefit of building relationships with these students and watching them grow into trusted and dedicated colleagues.”

The renewed commitment comes at a pivotal moment for the initiative. In May 2027, the inaugural cohort of Howley ASPIRE scholars will graduate from La Salle University with bachelor’s degrees in nursing, marking an important milestone for the partnership and for the students. Upon graduation, the Howley scholars can remain employees in nursing roles at Penn Medicine or pursue careers with other health systems.

“The future of healthcare rests, in no small part, on the people who will shape it,” said Kevin B. Mahoney, chief executive officer for the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “That means thinking differently about how we develop the talent our patients and health system will need. This innovative pipeline program opens the door to nursing earlier and supports scholars as their careers grow. We are proud to partner with The Howley Foundation on an effort that will benefit students, patients, and communities across Philadelphia for years to come.”

The Howley Foundation established the Howley ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program with a shared vision of expanding educational opportunities and economic mobility for Philadelphia youth while addressing the growing demand for highly educated nurses. Today, that vision is reflected in 80 scholars participating across the program's high school, college, and employment phases. The new gift will allow the program to continue welcoming additional cohorts of students over the next five years.