Franklin University Selects Morgan Muhly, Belmont College Nursing Student, for Full-Tuition Scholarship to Pursue BSN

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Morgan Muhly, a Belmont College nursing student recognized for academic excellence, leadership, and resilience, has been named to the All-Ohio Academic Second Team and selected to receive a full-tuition scholarship from Franklin University, where she will continue her education toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

As a sponsor of the All-Ohio Academic Team program, Franklin University awarded the full-tuition scholarship during the April 23 recognition event at the Ohio Statehouse. The event, held in partnership with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), brought together 52 of Ohio’s top community college students, all of whom were eligible for the scholarship. 

A cancer survivor who has also lost both parents to the disease, Muhly is committed to advancing in oncology nursing and improving patient outcomes through compassionate, specialized care. Following her graduation this spring from Belmont College, she has accepted a position as an oncology nurse and will continue building her clinical and academic pathway at Franklin. 

“Advancing in oncology nursing is deeply personal to me,” Muhly said. “Franklin gives me the opportunity to continue my education in a way that aligns with my goals, my experience, and the impact I want to have in patient care.” 

At Franklin University, Muhly will continue along a transfer pathway designed for working learners, allowing her to balance career, family, and continued education while progressing toward her degree. She plans to complete her BSN, pursue an MSN with an oncology focus, and obtain Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) credentials. 

This pathway is part of Franklin’s broader commitment to community college partnerships across Ohio. For more than 27 years, Franklin has partnered with 21 community colleges statewide, and more than 120 nationwide, to create seamless transfer opportunities that help students move efficiently from associate to bachelor’s degree programs. 

Through initiatives like 3+1 programs and tools such as the Pathway Portal, Franklin provides students with clear, structured degree pathways, showing exactly how credits transfer and what is required to complete a degree, reducing uncertainty and accelerating time to completion. 

“Students like Morgan exemplify what’s possible when clear academic pathways meet purpose-driven goals,” said Samantha Shear, executive director of the Community College Alliance at Franklin University. “Through our partnerships, we’re focused on removing barriers and creating opportunities for students to advance their education and their careers.” 

Muhly’s journey reflects both the strength of that model and the impact of community college-to-university pathways in supporting career advancement. 
While at Belmont College, she served as president of the Student Nurse Association and Phi Theta Kappa chapter, gaining leadership experience that prepared her for the next step in her academic and professional journey. 

“Belmont gave me the foundation to grow, not just as a nurse, but as a leader,” Muhly said. 

As a mother of five and wife to husband James, Muhly brings a strong sense of purpose to her education. The scholarship helps ease the financial burden of continuing her degree while supporting her family, allowing her to stay focused on advancing her career in healthcare. 

She will enroll at Franklin University following her graduation from Belmont, continuing a pathway designed to support working professionals seeking career advancement through flexible, career-aligned degree programs. 

KEY FACTS
Franklin University awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Morgan Muhly, Belmont College nursing graduate and All-Ohio Academic Second Team honoree.

• Franklin University: Full-tuition scholarship awarded to Morgan Muhly (Belmont College nursing student; All-Ohio Academic Second Team)
• Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Franklin University
• Pathway: Community college transfer → BSN completion (seamless credit transfer)
• Career Outcome: Oncology nursing advancement (clinical role + continued education)
• Format: Flexible, transfer-friendly, designed for working adults
• National Network: 120 community college partners through Franklin’s Community College Alliance
• Ohio Partnerships: 21 community colleges; 27+ years of transfer collaboration
• Transfer Tools: 3+1 programs; Pathway Portal (clear credit mapping, accelerated completion)
• Recognition: All-Ohio Academic Team (academic excellence, leadership, service)
• Leadership Experience: Student Nurse Association President; Phi Theta Kappa President
 

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).