Candidate Statement

Associate degree nursing (ADN) transforms lives and is vital to expanding the nation’s nursing workforce. I am seeking election as Director At-Large to help shape the future of ADN education through innovation, advocacy, and the strategic leadership necessary to advance excellence in nursing education.

My career reflects the impact of associate degree education. From ADN student to PhD-prepared nurse leader and now Dean of the program where my journey began, my career illustrates the possibilities created through access to high quality nursing education. For more than 25 years, I have been a leader in ADN education as a tenured professor, assistant program director, and dean, driving innovation, securing grant funds, and expanding access for future nurses.

As President of the California Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (COADN) South, I advocated for policy initiatives that advanced ADN education and expanded access to nursing education opportunities. I collaborated with legislators and developed scalable solutions, including concurrent enrollment pathways and faculty and director development programs that contributed to strengthening and expanding California’s nursing education workforce.

Within OADN, I serve as Chair of the Membership Committee, working to strengthen engagement and expand our national voice. As a Fellow of the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing, I remain committed to advancing excellence in ADN education while promoting faculty development opportunities that ensure graduates are prepared to meet the realities of professional practice. My continued service with OADN reflects my commitment to advancing transformative solutions that strengthen ADN education and address the nation’s nursing workforce needs.