It is a distinct pleasure to highly recommend Stacey Grenier for the DAISY - Exceptional Mentorship Award. During my time as Assistant Dean of the DNP Program and Stacey's mentor at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing, I have witnessed a level of dedication and leadership intuition that sets her apart from her peers. Rather than viewing nursing as a career, Stacey treats it as a sacred commitment to excellence, fueled by a relentless spirit of inquiry and a devotion to professional growth that inspires everyone around her. She consistently demonstrates a commitment to pedagogical evolution that goes beyond standard faculty requirements. For example, when confronted with the loss of clinical placements, Stacey leveraged design thinking to transform a crisis into a curriculum. She engineered a dynamic, two-day experiential learning model that proved so effective it exceeded traditional clinical benchmarks. Stacey does not simply bridge the gap between theory and practice; she closes it by consistently integrating evidence-based research into real-world applications.

In addition, she serves as a vital instructional link that elevates the standard of care in nursing practice. Dr. Grenier possesses a rare holistic vision for nursing education that prioritizes the marginalized and underserved populations. She approaches every student-patient interaction with a profound sense of stewardship, teaching her students to navigate the social determinants of health with empathy and precision. Her commitment to underserved populations is best seen in her DNP curriculum revisions that develop a strong social justice lens for students and demonstrate that high-quality care is built on a foundation of human dignity and radical inclusion. Stacey’s commitment to diversity is evident in her leadership in international academic settings. Specifically, her contribution to the DNP immersive learning lab in Iceland highlights her ability to collaborate across borders on complex policy and leadership frameworks. She approaches every interaction, whether with a student, a global peer, or a patient, with a deep-seated cultural intelligence. This unique ability to navigate diverse backgrounds with clarity and grace makes her an invaluable asset to any faculty team looking to expand its global and inclusive footprint. Stacey is a 'go-above-and-beyond' professional whose unique value lies in her agile, design-thinking approach to education.

Whether she is navigating the loss of a clinical site or co-leading a DNP immersive lab in Iceland, she demonstrates a relentless commitment to student success and health equity. She is a natural mentor who views the classroom as a space for both intellectual and moral growth. Stacey possesses the rare combination of academic discipline and cultural intelligence required to lead in a modern nursing program. She has my highest recommendation and would be a perfect candidate for the DAISY - Exceptional Mentorship Award.