About Dr. Valerie Kiper
Valerie Kiper, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Dr. Valerie Kiper currently serves as the Inaugural Regional Dean
and a professor for Texas Tech University Health Science Center
School of Nursing -Amarillo, Texas campus.
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Dr. Kiper holds a diploma in nursing from the Northwest Texas
Hospital School of Nursing in Amarillo, Texas. She received both a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and a Master’s of Science
in Nursing degree from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from Texas Tech University Health Science Center.
Dr. Kiper is involved in various professional and community organizations. In 2016, Dr. Kiper formed a local nurse leader group from several of the Texas Panhandle healthcare facilities, nursing organizations, local nursing schools and school districts to create the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses inspired by the DFW Great 100 Nurses. The annual event promotes recognition of outstanding nurses in the Texas Panhandle with the goal of providing scholarship funding for nurses/nursing students to continue their education in the nursing profession so that they can care for those citizens living in the community they serve. As a result of the event’s success over the years, the Panhandle Great 25 now serves as a model for communities across Texas who have replicated a similar event which includes South Plains, Permian Basin, Austin and South Texas.
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A nursing leadership scholarship for doctoral prepared nursing students was established in 2021 in Dr. Kiper’s name by The Panhandle Great 25 Nurses committee. The purpose of the Dr. Valerie Kiper Leadership Scholarship is to provide funds for a nursing student who is currently enrolled in an accredited doctoral program in nursing and shows exceptional vision for leadership in the Texas Panhandle to advance the profession of nursing.
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Selection for this scholarship recognizes an individual’s outstanding and sustained contributions to the nursing profession, as well as exemplary professional practice and nursing leadership The recipient must have served the profession of nursing in a significant leadership capacity, demonstrating the qualities of leadership and service to the nursing profession by his/her professional and personal example.
Dr. Valerie Kiper Doctoral Leadership
Scholarship Application
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The Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Committee invites applications for the Dr. Valerie Kiper Doctoral Leadership Scholarship from students currently enrolled in an accredited doctoral nursing program with a focus on leadership. Applicants must live in one of the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and commit to serving in a nursing leadership position within the region after earning their doctoral degree. In November, the recipient will be honored at the 9th Annual Panhandle Great 25 Nurses ceremony.
To be eligible, applicants must:
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Be enrolled in a nursing program for Fall 2025.
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Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 and be in good academic standing.
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Commit to a nursing leadership role in the Texas Panhandle after earning the degree.​
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The scholarship award is $2,500. Applications are available on the Panhandle Great 25 website at www.panhandlegreat25.com. All components of the application must be submitted by May 31, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Texas.
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At least 10 years of full-time practice as a registered nurse.
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At least 5 years of experience in a full-time leadership role as a registered nurse.
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Doctoral education focused on nursing leadership.
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Demonstrates leadership that influences the profession of nursing through professional development, service, and quality improvement.
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Advances nursing through evidence-based best practices.
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Promotes the positive image of nursing.
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Serves as both a formal and informal mentor to nurses.​
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Please ensure all components are submitted by the deadline.
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