GIFTS AT WORK: Regina and James Traylor

Gifts that the College of Nursing at Michigan State University receives work in numerous ways toward strengthening the experiences of our students, faculty and entire community. Benefactors are strong supporters of the College, contributing directly to student scholarship and enriching the educational experience.

GIFTS AT WORK: Regina and James Traylor

Regina Traylor, MSN, RN, College of Nursing Director of Student Support Services at Michigan State University, has always had a passion for nursing both as a nurse leader and College faculty member.

In her passion for the profession and the educational experience offered at the College of Nursing, Regina and her husband James were the first to commit $10,000 to the 60 for SIXTY Challenge and paved the way for advancement in innovation of nursing research at Michigan State University.

"My choice of nursing as a career has been one of the best decisions I have made. The choice has allotted me innumerable and diverse opportunities,” Traylor said.

Before joining the College, Regina received her BSN from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and MSN as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist from Troy State University. She worked as a Charge Nurse and later Acting Head Nurse in the Surgical ICU of VA Medical Center in Birmingham, Al. She later moved to Foote Hospital in Jackson, MI as an Education Specialist before transferring to Sparrow Health System as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Regina has been with the College of Nursing since 2002. As Director of Student Support Services, Regina provides leadership and vision of all matters related to admissions, recruitment, scholarship awards, commencement, degree certifications and retention of undergraduate and graduate students.

In her multi-faceted role at the College as mentor and role model to thousands of students, Traylor has developed a deeply personal connection to the future success of Spartan Nurses. She gives to the lives of many with her talents, guidance, and experience as a nurse leader - as well as financial commitments to address the nursing and faculty shortage.

"If seeding into MSU is what it takes for me to have a positive impact on the nursing shortage and affording the students better facilities, then I am all for it,” Traylor said.

"My passion to see others afforded excellent opportunities in a nursing career has fueled my desire to participate in the 60 for SIXTY Challenge. It has been impressive to see the College of Nursing at Michigan State University take on the challenge of increasing enrollment because of the massive nursing shortage encountered nationally. Growth of this nature requires additional faculty and space. By investing in the College, it will allow the opportunity for all students, administration, faculty and support staff to be in one building, creating a richer environment for the students to prosper.” Traylor said.

The 60 for SIXTY Challenge provides an opportunity for individuals to play an integral role in helping to facilitate advanced nursing excellence at Michigan State University. The key motivating factor that inspired the Traylor's to give is their vested interest in providing students in higher education the innovative resources necessary to advance the science of nursing in a career that is vital to the health of society.