UND student and RAIN nurse mentor Chantel Vazquez awarded SAMHSA fellowship
Chantel Vazquez, a registered nurse, enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, current UND student in the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines (CNPD) and nurse mentor with UND’s Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) program has earned national recognition by being awarded the highly competitive Minority Fellowship from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This prestigious fellowship, with a $15,000 annual stipend, was granted to Vazquez for the 2024-2025 academic year. Vasquez was awarded the fellowship during a year with a record number of applicants.
The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), in collaboration with the American Nurses Association (ANA), aims to support minority students in the mental health field who are committed to improving care in underserved communities. The fellowship is a testament to Vazquez’s dedication to enhancing mental health services for underserved communities.
A Journey of Advocacy and Leadership
Vazquez’s journey into mental health advocacy is rooted in her upbringing in the rural tribal community of Belcourt, N.D. From an early age, she became aware of the unique mental health challenges and barriers faced by her American Indian community members, which fueled her desire to become a nurse and make a difference. In 2013, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University, thanks in part to the RAIN program, which provided her with academic and personal support.
“As a former student who graduated from UND’s BSN program with the support of RAIN services and now as a nurse mentor in the program, I understand the impact support services can have on students pursuing their educational goals,” said Vazquez. As a current Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) student at UND, she about the opportunities of being named a SAMHSA fellow, including the mentorship and academic and financial support.
Now, as a RAIN nurse mentor, Vazquez and her colleagues guide 24 American Indian undergraduate students and 18 graduate students for the 2024-2025 academic year. RAIN mentors support students’ academic and professional journeys and help foster a sense of belonging, community, and a “home away from home” which the program leaders believe are essential components for student success.
Reflecting on Vazquez’s achievements, RAIN program director Barb Anderson commented on her impact on RAIN students.
“She is an excellent role model for our students and has made a difference for many,” Anderson said.
CNPD dean Maridee Shogren agreed and added her excitement about the announcement.
“Chantel is a respected leader who has an innate ability to guide students through a compassionate and respectful mentoring approach that she models daily. I have no doubt that she will use the same approach in her work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner,” she said. “Chantel is devoted to improving substance use treatment services in Tribal communities through care that is evidence-based, includes harm reduction principles and is grounded in wrap-around support. We are incredibly proud of Ms. Vazquez, and it is an honor to work with her.”
Looking Forward
Currently pursuing a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree at UND, Vazquez plans to return to her tribal community upon graduation. She aims to focus on treating individuals with co-occurring disorders, addressing the mental health and substance use challenges prevalent in her community.
About the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship
The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship supports full-time enrollment in accredited psychiatric mental health nursing programs with a focus on mental health or substance use disorders. The fellowship aims to eliminate behavioral health disparities by cultivating experts equipped to deliver culturally competent, evidence-based services to underserved populations. In addition to the stipend, fellowship recipients must meet requirements such as maintaining successful academic performance and completing service hours focused on minority populations.
Chantel Vazquez’s recognition as a SAMHSA Fellow highlights her commitment to improving mental health outcomes for tribal communities and further positions her as a leader and advocate in the mental health field.
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Media Contact: Jen Koller, marketing and communications coordinator, CNPD, 701.777.4549, jen.koller@UND.edu
Photos: Vasquez and Shogren, Chantel Vasquez
