Faculty

Dr. Monika Costa earned her Doctorate in Nursing Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Education and Nursing Science from Sacred Heart University, and an Associate degree in Nursing from Gateway Community College.

• NURS 216 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I
• NURS 316 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology II
• NURS 318/323 Maternal Newborn Nursing – didactic and clinical
• NUR 210 Introduction to Nursing Research
• NU 310 Nursing Research
• NURS 406/406 Community Health Nursing/Nursing Care of Populations and Individuals in the Community II – clinical
• NURS 417 Management of Complex Health Problems – Maternity Capstone Clinical
• INTD37542 Honors Junior Independent Study

• Maternal and newborn nursing
• Health disparities and health equity
• Breastfeeding

Interdisciplinary Virtual Simulation to Promote Health Equity and Advocacy

• Melissa-Sue John, Ph.D.
• Heather Mangino Ed.D., RN, CNE
• Christiana Best, Ph.D.
• Latoya Hinds DSW, LCSW

• Interdisciplinary Virtual Simulation to Promote Health Equity and Advocacy
• Incorporating Antiracism into Simulation-Based Education (SBE) for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Quality Improvement Project
• Exploring Barriers and Facilitators for Black Women in Obtaining IBCLC Certification

Peer Reviewed Journals

Costa, M., McKelvey, M., Kuhnly, J., Holland, T., & Fouche-Camargo, J. (2025).
Empowering students as advocates for health equity: A multisite multi-methods study.
Nursing Education Perspectives. Accepted May 2025. In Press.

Costa, M., Griswold, M. K., & Canty, L. (2024). Nursing student perceptions of racism and health disparities in the United States: A critical race theory perspective.
Nursing Outlook, 72(3), 102172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102172

Letters to Editor
Costa, M. (2023). Reflecting on the DEI statement. Nursing for Women’s Health. Letter to the Editor. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2023.07.001

Professional Journals

Costa, M. (2018). Community issue action plan: Obesity in children and youth. Journal of Mother Studies, volume 3. https://jourms.wordpress.com/community- issue-action-plan-obesity-in-children-and-youth/

Podium and Oral Presentations

Costa, M., McKelvey, M., Kuhnly, J.E., & Holland, T. (2025, September). Antiracism assignments: Empowering students as advocates for healthcare equity. Podium presentation at NLN Summit, Orlando, FL.
Costa, M. (March 27, 2025). Are we teaching bias? How nursing education can perpetuate racial disparities in patient health outcomes. 2025 NLN Nursing Education Research Conference (NERC), Washington DC.
Costa, M., Fouche-Camargo, J. (January 22, 2025). Empowering Students as Advocates for Health Equity: A Multisite Mixed-Methods Study. AGORA Series, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT.
Costa, M. (August 23, 2024). ADEI Goals for Academic Year 2024-2025 SIHS Faculty Retreat Day. University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT.
Costa, M., Best, C., Mangino, H., Rosich, G. (August 21, 2024). Infusing Antiracist Pedagogies Across the Curricula. Faculty Development Day. University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT.
Costa, M. (June 20, 2024). Empowering Mothers: Incorporating Cultural Humility and Equity into Lactation Support. Women’s Health Services Grand Rounds. Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Costa, M (March 6, 2024). Integrating cultural humility and structural competency into the healthcare science curriculum. Faculty Round Table Discussion. University of Saint Joseph, CT.
Costa, M. (January 4, 2024). Milking Knowledge: Nourishing Insights into Lactation Excellence. Women’s Health Services Grand Rounds. Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Costa, M. (October 27, 2023). Are We Teaching Bias? How Nursing Curriculum Can Perpetuate Racial Disparities in Maternal Health Outcomes. Podium presentation. 14th Annual Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice Symposium, Burlington, VT.
Costa, M., & Kuhnly, J. (June 29, 2023). Management of Common Breastfeeding Challenges. Women’s Health Services Grand Rounds. Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Costa, M. (March 17, 2023). Perceptions of Undergraduate Nursing Students on Racism and Racial Disparities in Maternal Health. Sigma Iota Upsilon Research Round Table Presentation, WebEx Presentation Invitation

Poster Presentations

Costa, M., McKelvey, M., Kuhnly, J.E., & Holland, T. (2025, October). Building student advocacy for health equity: Insights from a multisite multi-method study. 28th Annual Evidence Based Practice Conference, Hartford, CT.
Costa, M., McKelvey, M., Kuhnly, J.E., & Holland, T. (2025, May). Empowering students as advocates for health equity: A multisite multi-method. Nurse Educator Conference, Falmouth, MA.
Costa, M., McKelvey, M., Kuhnly, J.E., & Holland, T. (2025, April). Empowering students as advocates for health equity: A multisite multi-method. CCNW Nursing Workforce Summit, Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT.
Costa, M. (September 19, 2024). Incorporating Cultural Humility and Structural Competency into Maternity Nursing Curriculum. NLN Summit, San Antonio, TX.
Costa, M. (October 17, 2024). Incorporating Antiracist Pedagogies into the Nursing Curriculum. Abstract and poster presentation at the annual Connecticut Research Alliance, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.
Costa, M., & Canty, L. (2023). Addressing racism and racial disparities in the maternal nursing curriculum. Poster presentation. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 52(4), S2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2023.05.003
Costa, M. (2022). Perceptions of Undergraduate Nursing Students on Racism and Racial Disparities in Maternal Health. Abstract and poster presentation at CT Research Alliance, October 2022.
Costa, M. (2016). Implementing Evidence-Based Practice by Delaying Newborn Bath. Abstract and poster presentation at CT Research Alliance, October 2016.
Costa, M., Kuhnly, J. (2018). Incorporating breastfeeding education into the nursing curriculum. Abstract and poster presentation at CT Research Alliance, October 2018.

Grants

Costa, M. & John, M. (2025). Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators Using Simulation (CAN-Sim) 2025 Research and Innovation Grant in the amount of $2,500. Interdisciplinary Virtual Simulation to Promote Health Equity and Advocacy.

Costa, M. (2025). NEH Humanities and Arts Fund at the University of Saint Joseph in the amount of $ 2000. Voices of Resilience: Elevating the Human Experience Through Storytelling.

Costa, M and Best, C. (2024). TLCC Faculty Grant in the amount of $2075. Virtual Simulations to Prepare Healthcare Students How to Effectively Address Racism in Clinical Settings.

Brochu, D., Costa, M., Garilli, S. (2024). TLCC Faculty Grant in the amount of $965.95. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Basic Life Support Training.

Mangino, H. and Costa, M. (2024). Barbara Kavanaugh Haight Endowed Fund for Nursing Research in the amount of $1,500. Incorporating Antiracism into Simulation-Based Education for Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Meral Demiroska (2024). Student presentation grant in amount of $500. The Decline of Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: A scoping Review Analyzing the Gaps of Healthcare Policies.

Awards
Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award, University of Saint Joseph, 2025
Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence, 2024
Dean’s Leadership Award – Sacred Heart University, 2015

Nominations
John J. Stacks Teaching Excellence Award, University of Saint Joseph, 2022
2024 AWHONN Award of Excellence in Education, 2023
John J. Stacks Teaching Excellence Award, University of Saint Joseph, 2025

Recognitions
Breastfeeding Friendly Campus Award recognition, 2023
Sigma Iota Upsilon – induction, 2021