Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program
Preparing future nurses to address disparities in healthcare delivery and advocate for health justice.
About
Rooted in Equity, Growing in Purpose
The Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program is more than a scholarship program; it is the bold heartbeat of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Founded to challenge the status quo, Seedworks unapologetically centers the brilliance, resilience, and authenticity of UMass Nursing students who are BIPOC, queer, first-generation, neurodivergent, and everything in between.
Alongside financial assistance, Director Dr. Lucinda Canty and Student Success and Diversity Manager Krystal Bariffe provide mentorship rooted in liberation. The program cultivates a new kind of nurse: culturally competent, community connected, and equity minded. Here, lived experience is a strength, and every student is encouraged to show up as their full self.
The future of healthcare doesn’t need more gatekeeping; it needs more of us.
Health Equity is Non-Negotiable
Seedworks tackles health disparities by supporting nursing students from diverse backgrounds. When nurses reflect their communities, harm decreases. Seedworks builds a generation of culturally competent nurses, making equity the foundation of healthcare—not just a buzzword.
More Than a Scholarship: A Movement
Seedworks combines academic excellence and cultural pride, offering a launchpad to success. Scholars attend national conferences, engage policymakers, publish diverse stories, lead community projects, and receive ongoing mentorship and support to transform healthcare and advance health equity.
In the Spotlight
“Through Seedworks, I’ve been in rooms I never imagined— connecting with leaders, government officials, and future collaborators. Seedworks has helped shape a brighter, stronger, more secure future, not just for me, but for everyone I’ll serve."
Contact
Lucinda Canty
Director of Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program
Associate Professor
Dr. Lucinda Canty is an associate professor and director of the Seedworks Health Equity Program at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.
Krystal Bariffe
Krystal Bariffe is the student success and diversity manager for the Seedworks Scholarship Program at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.
