Rob Streb Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is being supported by Bob and Michele Streb, parents of Rob Streb and Julie Slade (Associate Professor of Nursing). 

To be eligible for the Rob Streb Memorial Scholarship, the applicant must:

• Supply transcripts, as part of the admission process, demonstrating a GPA of 3.6 or higher from a master’s level education.
• Be accepted and enrolled in the Chatham University DNP Program.
• Write a 2-3 page original (not AI-generated), cohesive essay, following current APA formatting standards. See below for more details and a scoring rubric.

About Rob

Rob Streb (1974-2025) was a kind-hearted, gentle individual who found happiness in his own world. With the unwavering support of his family, Rob navigated challenges associated with his diagnoses of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), high-functioning autism, and several physical health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and others. Despite these obstacles, he enjoyed an independent life in his own home and found great companionship in his beloved dog, Toby. With the support of his parents, Bob and Michele, and sister Julie, Rob lived a good life despite the challenges. Following a sudden and devastating stroke in December 2025, Rob passed away on December 24, 2025. This scholarship honors Rob's memory and celebrates the wonderful person that his family loved.

Essay Requirements

Individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, neurodiversity, mental health conditions, and complex chronic health needs often experience significant barriers within the healthcare system. These barriers may include challenges with communication, health literacy, care coordination, access to services, health equity, advocacy, social support, and navigation of increasingly complex healthcare environments. As a result, these individuals frequently require compassionate, individualized, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary approaches to care.

In a 2-3 page essay, following current APA formatting standards, explain how earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Chatham University will prepare you to improve healthcare outcomes and experiences for individuals facing intellectual, developmental, cognitive, behavioral, or other complex healthcare challenges. Discuss how your DNP education will enable you to provide person-centered care, lead healthcare innovation, advocate for vulnerable populations, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to meaningful improvements in healthcare systems and communities.

Your essay should demonstrate connections to:

• Lifelong learning
• Personalized and culturally responsive care
• Organizational culture and systems improvement
• Professional leadership
• Evidence-based practice
• Interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Chatham University's Mission Statement
• Chatham University's DNP Program Goals and Outcomes

Scholarship Review & Award

The scholarship applicants will be evaluated by at least four faculty members from the Nursing Department. The scholarship applications will be judged by Master’s level GPA, essay quality, and essay content.

The scholarship recipient will be awarded $2,500 for their first semester of the program shortly after the add/drop deadline. Before the monies are released, the scholarship recipient must write a thank-you letter to the Strebs, which will be submitted to the Chatham Student Accounts department and forwarded to Julie Slade afterward.

The scholarship recipient’s GPA will be reviewed at the end of NUR700 and NUR703. If the scholarship recipient achieves a GPA of 3.5 or higher and is in good standing in the program, a second $2,500 award will be made upon registration in NUR702 and NUR706. If the GPA is below 3.5 or the student is not in good academic standing in the program, the money will not be awarded.

The scholarship recipient’s GPA will be reviewed at the end of NUR702 and NUR706. If the scholarship recipient achieves a GPA of 3.5 or higher and is in good standing in the program, a third $2,500 award will be made upon registration in NUR704 and NUR707. If the GPA is below 3.5 or the student is not in good academic standing in the program, the money will not be awarded.

The scholarship recipient’s GPA will be reviewed at the end of NUR704 and NUR707. If the scholarship recipient achieves a GPA of 3.5 or higher and is in good standing in the program, a final $2,500 award will be made upon registration in NUR705 and NUR799. If the GPA is below 3.5 or the student is not in good academic standing in the program, the money will not be awarded.

Scoring Rubric