The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving a $1.1 million grant to the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University to help with efforts to diversify the nursing workforce.

Mennonite announced the 3-year grant Tuesday, and the dean of the nursing college says she's "thrilled."

The Nursing Workforce Diversity grant will use $370,000 each year to recruit, train and retain people from underrepresented groups to nursing.

Mennonite's plans include using the money to partner with middle schools to get minority children interested in nursing and starting future nurses' clubs among high school students.