Nursing Faculty

Andrea Gibson is the interim dean and vice president for the Purdue Global School of Nursing and is a dedicated leader in accreditation, regulatory compliance, and clinical placement.

Previously as associate dean of operations, she successfully secured initial accreditation for the Associate of Science in Nursing program and continued accreditation for Purdue Global’s post-licensure nursing programs. Gibson leads operational efficiency initiatives for the 16-member Clinical Placement team, enhancing student support and program expertise. With a strategic focus on assessment and evaluation, Gibson has redesigned the use of key performance course and program measures to strengthen program outcomes and excellence in nursing education, in addition to guiding policy creation and revision. She joined Purdue Global in 2007 as a faculty member and quickly transitioned into administrative roles with the university. Prior to joining academia, she served as a charge nurse for more than 5 years.

Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Purdue Global; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Kaplan University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Grand View University

Certifications: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

Honors and Achievements: Sigma Theta Tau 46th Biennial Poster Presentation   

Memberships: National League for Nursing (NLN); Sigma Theta Tau International; American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

Research Interests: Quality improvement in nursing education; equitable assessment and evaluation in nursing education

Abbey Elliott is the Associate Dean of Innovation & Wellness for the School of Nursing at Purdue University Global and the Immersive Learning Coordinator for Purdue University Global. Elliott is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and a Certified Emergency Nurse. She has academic leadership experience in immersive learning program design, implementation, and evaluation. Elliott has also taught classes in the lab, clinical, online, and in the classroom. She completed an innovations fellowship through Ohio State University focusing on academic faculty and staff well-being. Elliott serves on the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning education and research committees.

Education: DNP, American Sentinel University; MSN and MHA, University of Phoenix; BSN, Southwestern College

Publications: Williams, R., Helmer, B., Elliott, A., Robinson, D., Jimenez, F.A., Faragher, M.E. (2024, September). Navigating the Virtual Frontier: A Virtual Patient Simulation Pilot Study in Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Education. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 94, 101589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2024.101589

Elliott, A. (2022). The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Virtual Reality for Patient Interviewing in a Graduate Nursing Program. EDUCAUSE.

Dobbin, G., Elliott, A., McMahon, M., & Sheridan, J. (June 2022). AI Plus VR at Purdue University Global: An EDUCAUSE Research Case Study. EDUCAUSE.

Cure, L., Elliott, A., & Nicks, S. (2017). Identifying appropriate interruption-handling strategies during healthcare care processes. IISE Transactions on Healthcare Systems Engineering, 7(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/24725579.2017.1380087

Certifications: Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator; Certified Emergency Nurse

Honors and Achievements: Purdue University Global Great Leaders Award; Wichita (Kansas) Business Journal’s Women Who Lead in Healthcare Award

Memberships: Society for Simulation in Healthcare; Kansas Emergency Nurse’s Association; Emergency Nurse’s Association; International Nursing Association for Clinical Nursing Simulation; National League for Nursing; Sigma Theta Tau International, EGAL chapter, Phi Rho chapter; American Association of Colleges of Nursing; American Nurses Association; Kansas State Nurses Association

Research Interests: Immersive learning and faculty/staff/student well-being

Jessica Gordon has worked for Purdue Global since 2010 and has served as the associate dean for undergraduate nursing since 2021. In this role, Jessica oversees the RN to BSN and ASN programs, as well as the development of new undergraduate programs for Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. She served as the Faculty Scholarship Committee Chair, in which she helped lead the committee's development and implementation of the Owl Awards and Celebrate Scholarship Day. Additionally, Jessica was course lead for transcultural nursing as well as ambulatory care nursing. She also taught courses in leadership and management and health assessment. Her expertise in curriculum and innovation continues to drive her professional career, leading to certifications and professional development in simulation in healthcare education and curriculum development. Jessica's prior work experiences in practice includes neuro/surgical/trauma intensive care nursing in a level 1 trauma center for 7 years and multiple university instructor roles.         

Education: DNP- Purdue Global; Post Master's Certificate - Executive Leader- Purdue Global; MSN Ed, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); Graduate Certificate, Kaplan University; BSN, Nova Southeastern University; BS – Health Sciences, University of Florida

Publications: Davis, D. & Koppelman, D., Gordon, J., Coleman, S., Heitzler, E., & Fall-Dickson, J. (2018). Effect of an academic–community partnership simulation education program on quality and safety education for nurses competency domains for Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 18 (56-63). 10.1016/j.ecns.2018.02.003.

Certifications: Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

Honors and Achievements: NLN Lead Fellow      

Memberships: National League For Nursing        

Research Interests: Innovative Teaching Methods; Online Education with Non Traditional Learners; Undergraduate Education with Non Traditional Learners

Dr. McMahon is the associate dean for the graduate nurse practitioner and non-nurse practitioner programs. She is a dual board-certified acute care nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner with teaching experience at the graduate level and clinical expertise in critical care. She boasts a diverse clinical background in health promotion, disease prevention, acute and chronic care management, and health education. She has experience as a program director and academic chair for family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programs.

Education: DNP, University of Michigan; MSN, Wayne State University; PGC, South University; BSN, Oakland University

Certifications: AANC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, AANC: Family Nurse Practitioner, ACLS, BLS, Fundamentals of Critical Care Support (FCCS)

Honors and Achievements: 2020 STTI Experienced Academic Leadership Participant; 2018 Nightingale Excellence in Nursing nominee; 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award (South University); 2014 Nurse Practitioner of the Year (St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital)

Memberships: ANA, NONPF, MICNP

Research Interests: Integrating virtual reality experiences for skills labs for graduate and undergraduate students, developing orientation and support mechanisms of new nursing faculty, the use of technology in distance learning to promote robust experiences, increasing skills acquisition and persistence

Michael Vega serves as the assistant dean of students, where he supports, represents, and advocates for students in promoting their success through their academic journey at the Purdue Global School of Nursing. Vega works with faculty and staff to develop initiatives that enhance the experiences of students across all degree programs so they can be best prepared to achieve their career goals within the nursing field. He comes with a wealth of experience in academic advising, student & faculty support, higher education staff development, and student and alumni programming. Given his experiences personally and professionally, he is passionate about providing all students with the best experience for them to thrive in higher education and supporting faculty and staff to engage in meaningful work to promote that goal.        

Education: PhD, Seton Hall University; MSW and BA, Rutgers University  

Research Interests: Higher education retention and persistence, first generation students, Latino/a/x/e students, masculinity development

Susan Kieffer is the Academic Chair for the RN-to-BSN Program. Kieffer joined Purdue Global first as a faculty member in 2007 and later as a department chair. Previously, Kieffer worked as a registered nurse in the areas of Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics, Intensive Care, and Home Health. She also served as a missionary to the Roma in Transylvania, Romania, for 3 years.                                             

Education: DBA, Northcentral University; MSN/Ed - University of Phoenix; ASN - Mohave Community College

Publications: Kieffer, S. (2016.) The Roma of Transylvania: A Focused Ethnography of Their Economic Lives.               

Certifications: Executive Management Certification (EMC)

Tiffany Everson has spent her career dedicated to nursing student and staff education, particularly in the clinical setting. Everson joined Purdue Global as an adjunct clinical instructor in September 2018, became a clinical coordinator in February 2019, then transitioned to the Assistant Academic Chair of Iowa in July 2019, and now she serves as the Academic Program Head - Anamosa. She has previous experience in leadership and education in emergency nursing and is familiar with a broad variety of content including fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing across the curriculum, and advanced concepts.

Education: MSN, University of Iowa; BSN, Coe College

Memberships: National League for Nursing, Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

Research Interests: The transition of nursing graduates into professional practice

Education: Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Purdue University Global; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), University of Maine; Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) University of Maine

Certifications: Certified Registered Nurse: Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN); Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)

Memberships: National League for Nursing (NLN); Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN); Organization of Maine Nursing Leadership (OMNL); American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); Sigma Theta Tau 

Research Interests: Nursing education, faculty mentoring, faculty development,  preventative healthcare, and human trafficking prevention

Cynthia Jones is a transformational nurse leader that joined Purdue University Global with a combined seven years of experience in traumatic brain injury patient advocacy, home health care, case management, and nursing education. She has taught and tutored multivariate courses at the LVN, BSN, and MSN levels in several educational institutions. Some of those courses include Fundamentals, Foundations of Nursing, Pediatrics, Medical-Surgical, Critical Care, Pharmacology, Clinical Inquiry, Informatics, Behavioral Health, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Epidemiology. Jones also served as an Academic Peer Mentor for MSN students and an NCLEX Coordinator. Although she now serves as the Academic Program Head - Houston, she has several years of leadership and management experience, having previously worked as an Associate Director of Nursing in the home health sector and as a Director of Operations for a behavioral health clinic.

While she is deeply committed to teaching excellence, delivering best practices in nursing education, and serving as a positive professional role model, she remains passionate about improving health outcomes for members of the TBI population. This is evidenced by her engagement in academic and clinical scholarship activities that have assisted in expanding awareness of the current trends and emerging issues in TBI care delivery, availability, and accessibility.

Education: DNP, University of St. Thomas; MBA-Healthcare Management, Western Governor’s University; BSN, University of St. Thomas

Publications: Jones, C. (2022). Nurses’ and Patients’ Perceptions of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) Modalities in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Care. 2024 Annual Meeting Abstracts. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 56(3):p 99-102, May 2024. https://doi:10.1097/JNN.0000000000000758      

Memberships: American Association of Neuroscience Nurses; American College of Healthcare Executives; American Nurses Association; Texas Nurses Association (District 9 Chapter); Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society

Research Interests: Transformational leadership in nursing education, complementary and integrative healthcare modalities within traumatic brain injury care, complex adaptive healthcare system redesign, implementation and evaluation of learning management systems, innovative teaching strategies in nursing education

Rita Million has been with Purdue Global since 2018 and began as an adjunct in the RN to BSN Program.  She joined the ASN Program in 2024 full-time as the Academic Program Head for the nursing program located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Million has been a nurse for 34 years and has a background in nursing research, community-based health with a focus on geriatric health. In addition, she has experience in mental health nursing both in-patient and in the rural community as part of an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program as the Team Lead. As a nurse educator, she has taught in every level:  CNA, PN, ASN, BSN, ABSN, and doctoral.            

Education: PhD in Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center; MSN in Community Health Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center; BSN and ASN, the College of Saint Mary     

Publications: "Niemann, A.L., & Million, R.M.(2023).  Addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults at the health plan level:  A quality improvement project.  Geriatric Nursing, In-press.

Torres-Vigil, I., Cohen, M.Z., Million, R.M., & Bruera, E. (2020).  The role of empathic nursing telephone interventions with advanced cancer patients:  A qualitative study.  European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 50.  DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/je.ejon.2020.101863

Million, R. (2017).  Exploring perceptions and experiences with resources among rural Alzheimer’s dementia family caregivers in the Midwest (Doctoral dissertation).  University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.

Berger, A.M., Yennu, S., & Million, R. (2013).  Update on interventions focused on symptom clusters:  What has been tried and what have we learned?  Current Opinions in Supportive Palliative Care, 7(1), 60-66.

Eilers, J., & Million, R. (2011). Clinical update:  Prevention and management of oral mucositis in patients with cancer.  Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 27(4), e1-16."     

Certifications: Public Health Nurse Advanced-Board Certified; Certified Nurse Educator; Certified Online Instructor           

Honors and Achievements: National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) New Investigator Research – Co-Investigator Grant received from the American Public Health Association; EBP Award from STT Gamma Pi-At-Large

Memberships: American Public Health Association; Sigma Theta Tau Gamma Pi-At-Large; American Nurses Association & Iowa Nurses Association; National Down Syndrome Society; National League of Nursing         

Research Interests: Rural Health and Disparities; Dementia Family Caregivers; Geriatric Health Promotion; Collaborative Testing and Team-Based Learning in Nursing Education; Service Learning

Angelina Nelton began her career with Purdue Global in 2014 as an adjunct profession and later served in a variety of positions including the clinical coordinator for the ASN school of nursing- Des Moines campus, and then as the academic program head in Perry, Iowa. Nelton is now a full-time faculty member and is the assistant academic chair for the ADN program in Perry, Iowa.

Nelton’s experience in the nursing field began in 2005 with a background in Obstetrics and Nursing Education and includes nearly a decade as an RN in perinatal services. Prior to graduating nursing school she was a CNA for 5 years, which is what stemmed her passion for nursing.

Education:  MS in Nursing

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)

Research Interests: Teen mental health, health disparities among pregnant women

Jerrica Sheridan is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with experience teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Sheridan has over 10 years of clinical expertise in family medicine, urgent care, and telemedicine. She began her career with Purdue Global in 2015 teaching in the MSN program. She transitioned to the role of MSN assistant academic chair in 2021 and became an MSN program chair in 2024.         

Education: DNP, Purdue Global; MSN, the University of Scranton; BSN and ASN, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner, AANPCB

Memberships: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties     

Research Interests: Faculty development, innovations in higher education, nursing burnout and compassion fatigue, student engagement, and educational technology.

Jessica Manning is the senior manager of Immersive Learning for Purdue Global School of Nursing and has worked in higher education since 2008. As the senior manager of Immersive Learning, Manning collaborates with the School of Nursing leadership to develop a vision for innovation, helps to create a strategic plan to achieve it, and shares that strategy and direction for immersive learning within the School of Nursing. She is dedicated to enhancing healthcare simulation education through the application of best practices and providing support to colleagues as they advance in their simulation expertise. Mannings's prior work experiences in practice include obstetrics and family practice nursing.  Within higher education, she has taught classes in the lab, clinical, online, and in the classroom.             

Education: DNP, Purdue Global; MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); BSN, Coe College

Certifications: CHSE, CNE

Publications: Manning, J. (2024). Implementing an obstetric simulation training protocol in a critical access hospital. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2024.101619        

Honors and Achievements: Purdue University Global Great Leaders Award; Faculty Owl Award for Outstanding Nursing Course Lead; Daisy Award Nominee

Memberships: International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning; Society for Simulation in Healthcare; SimGHOSTS; Sigma Theta Tau; National League for Nursing

Research Interests: Simulation; Obstetrics; Faculty Development; Nursing Education; Immersive Technology

With more than a decade of dedicated service in higher education, Page serves as the director of academic initiatives at Purdue Global's School of Nursing, committed to academic excellence and student success. Page plays a pivotal role in project management, process documentation, and strategic planning for the School of Nursing. Collaborating closely with senior leaders, they contribute to the identification of project scopes, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring the seamless execution of key initiatives. This role builds upon their prior experience as an Assistant Dean of Students, where they actively assisted students, served as a main point of contact for Student Advising and Admissions, and upheld the University's Code of Student Conduct. Notably, Page also previously managed the School of Nursing's Clinical Student Support Team, initiating impactful enhancements to student resources and team processes. Page's commitment to positive working environments and student success is evident throughout his career. Page has also previously held roles in the Registrar’s Office and Admissions.               

Education: MBA, Kaplan University

Honors and Achievements: 2021 School of Nursing ROSE Award Recipient; Purdue Global Accomplished Learners Award - Group Recipient

John Schmidt began his career with Purdue Global in 2019. Schmidt started as an adjunct faculty, then progressed to a full-time graduate nursing faculty, program lead of the acute gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program, and now program chair within the School of Nursing. His experience as a nursing professional includes clinical practice in various adult intensive care units, emergency department, ground and air critical care transport, and hospital internal medicine.

Education: DNP, Walden University; MSN Certificate, Adult Gerontology; APRN, Maryville University; MSN, Walden University; BSN, Case Western Reserve University          

Publications: Forsythe, L.L., Hall, C., Schmidt, J. & Hagen, B. (2018). The Design and Implementation of the Agile Team for Curriculum Development, podium presentation at Sigma Theta Tau International's 29th International Nursing Research Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 21.

Bressie, M., Barry, M., Hall, C., Schmidt, J. (2018). The Agile Process: A Multidisciplined Team Method of Course Development, Nursing Education Research Conference sponsored by the National League for Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau International, Washington, DC, April 20.

Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. (2013). Community and Public Health Nursing:  Evidence for Practice (2nd ed.).  Philadelphia, PA:  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.  Reviewed Chapter 15:  Emerging Infectious Disease for New Edition of upcoming publication.

Schmidt, J. T. (2013). Increasing competence and comfort: Heart failure education for the emergency department nurse.  Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.

Schmidt, J. T. (2013). Increasing competence and comfort: Heart failure education for the emergency department nurse.  Poster and Abstract presented at the 2013 ONA Convention, Columbus, Ohio.

Certifications: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, ANCC; Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Ohio; Registered Nurse, Ohio        

Honors and Achievements: Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing Award, January 2007       

Memberships: Society of Critical Care Medicine; Sigma Theta Tau International, Omega Gamma, and Alpha Mu Chapters; American Nurses Association; Ohio Nurses Association; Greater Cleveland Nurses Association; Buckeye Area Regional K9

Research Interests: Acute and chronic congestive heart failure; legal, professional, and ethical issues within nursing education; curricular design of online course management

Deborah Adell began her teaching career in 1994 at Desales University, and has taught at and directed nurse practitioner programs at the University of South Florida and the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. As a board-certified family nurse practitioner for 21 years, she also maintains an active clinical practice.

Education: PhD, Marywood University; MSN, Misericordia University; BSN, Drexel University

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner–Board Certified (FNP–BC), nationally board certified in menopause management through the North American Menopause Society

Honors and Achievements: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science research award (Harkness Foundation; London, England), diplomate of the National Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners

Deborah Adelman has been a nurse educator and professor of nursing for 26 years. She is currently the program lead for non-nurse practitioner Master of Science in Nursing courses as well as course lead for several of those courses. Adelman oversees numerous innovations in curriculum, including course revisions, creating new courses, and supporting faculty in these areas. She also mentors faculty who wish to do research, and has assisted five faculty in publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals. Adelman started her academic career at Lakeland College in Mattoon, Illinois. She moved on to the State University of New York and was an associate professor there for 2 years before joining Purdue Global as a full-time faculty member in 2017.

Education: PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; MSN, University of Illinois, University Center; BSN, University of Illinois, Medical Center, College of Nursing

Honors and Achievements: Interagency Council on Information Resources in Nursing, Essential RN Resources, Ward Duel Award for Excellence in Public Health Writing, Faculty Owl Award for Scholarship (Kaplan University)

Research Interests: Disaster nursing, nursing education, perceptions of plagiarism at the graduate level, online faculty, the experiences of nurse practitioners related to sharing clinical notes with patients through patient portals

Jessica Allen began her career with Purdue University (formerly Kaplan University) in 2015. She served as an adjunct professor for 7 years in the graduate nursing program and is currently a full-time professor for the School of Nursing. Allen teaches in the graduate nurse practitioner program in the primary care focus clinical courses. Her experience includes 15 years of nursing with background in emergency medicine, hospice, home health, pediatrics, and family medicine.

Education: DNP, University of Texas At Arlington; Post Master Nurse Educator Certification, Purdue University Global; MSN, Walden University; BSN, South University; AND, Texarkana Community College

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner- AANP 

Memberships: Member, American Nurse Association; Member, Texas Nurse Practitioner Association; Member, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Research Interests: Understanding obesity management using telemedicine, integrating effective communication techniques in online learning.

Monica Antolin began her career with Purdue University Global (formerly known as Kaplan University) in 2015 as a part-time adjunct faculty member in the MSN program. Antolin is now a full-time adjunct faculty member in the MSN program teaching a variety of FNP courses specializing clinical courses. In her years of service with the university, she has enjoyed teaching in the FNP program, helping students to achieve their goals for higher-level education.

Education: MSN—Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Central Florida; BSN and ASN, Adventist University of Health Sciences

Certifications: AANP-Family NP-C            

Honors and Achievements: Five-year service award with Purdue Global—2020

Memberships: Member, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2005–present; Member, National League for Nursing, 2015–present; Member, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2015–present

Research Interests: Improving student-professor communication in the online classroom

Raciela Austin is a course Lead for Purdue Global’s graduate nursing courses for both didactic and clinical courses and she instructs and evaluates graduate students in an online learning platform. Austin teaches VR simulation case scenarios and facilitates debriefing, and she collaborates with Purdue Global clinical student managers in helping students secure clinical sites for their practicum experience.

Education: MSN - Nurse Practitioner (Adult/Geriatric), California State University; BS in Biology, University of the Philippines; AA in Nursing, Mount Saint Mary’s University

Publications: Ziminski, C., Austin, R., Mosqueda, L., Phillips, L. and Wiglesworth, A. (2013). Injury patterns and causal mechanisms of bruising in physical elder abuse. Journal of Forensic Nursing.

Austin, R., Wiglesworth, A. and Twomey, M. (2012). Abuse and neglect of people with dementia. Academy on Violence and Abuse. Research Review.

Liao, S., Baker, M., Lowe, J., Austin, R., Whitney-Davis, J., Wiglesworth, A., Zimmerman, D., Zoromski, P. and Mosqueda, L. (2010). A Multi-site Study to Characterize Pressure Ulcers in Long-term Care under Best Practices

Wiglesworth, A., Austin, R., Corona, M., Schneider, D., Liao, S., Gibbs, L. and Mosqueda, M. (2009). Bruising as a Marker of Physical Elder Abuse. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Presentations: 2014 Southern California Readmission Update Conference: Remote Monitoring: Innovations in Healthcare. October 16, 2014

Patient Centered Medical Home. Geriatrics Journal Club: March 25, 2014.

HASC: Innovations for Older Adult Technology care: October 15, 2013.

Morrison, E., Wiglesworth, A., Mosqueda, L., Austin, R. and Shapiro, J. (2012) Caregiver Mistreatment of

People with Advanced Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study of Prevalence and Associated Characteristics.

Poster Presentation. 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.          

Licensure and Certifications: Registered Nurse, State of California 2001–Present; Nurse Practitioner, State of California 2012–Present; Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Certified, State of California 2012-Present; Furnishing License 2012-Present; DEA License 2001-Present; BLS-Certification 2012-Present; Simulation Instructor Certification 2013-Present; Registered Nurse, State of Iowa 3/2015-Present

Memberships: Member, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society; Member, Golden Key International Honour Society; Member, California Association of Nurse Practitioners; Member, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; Member, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Research Interests: Elder Abuse

Sydney Bean is a full-time nursing faculty member at Purdue Global Cedar Rapids campus. Bean previously served as an adjunct clinical faculty member for two years. She has worked as an RN in the emergency department at the University of Iowa, the intensive care unit at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, and as a chemotherapy infusion nurse.  

Education: BSN, Allen College; BA in Political Science and Classics, Luther College

Memberships: Member, Phi Beta Kappa national honor society; Member, Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society; Member, the Infusion Nurses Society

Linda Benson has been a nurse educator since 2010 and she has experience in long-term care, psychiatric nursing, and population health. Benson has taught a variety of nursing courses from the Associate Science in Nursing (ASN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Benson has practiced clinically as an RN for over 16 years. Benson currently works at an outpatient mental health clinic part -time.

Benson has also taught a variety of courses online for over 12 years and has been in administration as a director of nursing education, nursing curriculum manager, and nursing accreditation manager. Benson is active in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. She started at Purdue Global University in 2019 and is now a full-time faculty member in the graduate nursing program where she is the course lead for the Teaching and Learning Theories and Strategies; Curriculum Design, Assessment, and Evaluation; and Applying Principles of Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical courses.

Education: Post-masters, Purdue Global University; PhD, Capella University; MSN, BSN and ASN, Weber State University       

Publications: Examining Quantitative Differences Between Standardized Patient Simulation and Video on NCLEX-Style Examination Scores. Capella University. Minneapolis, MN         

Certifications: PMHNP-BC; BLS  

Honors and Achievements: Learning Design Pillar Award – 2015; Flame! Forward! Award – 2016; Daisy Award, 2022

Memberships: American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA); Sigma Thata Tau; The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS); National League for Nursing (NLN)     

Research Interests: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders; Folie a deux, faculty transition to a concept and competency-based curriculum, flipped online classroom

Megan Bivens is a full-time faculty member for the RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In this role, she oversees curriculum development as a course lead, including modularized curriculum and competency-based programs. Bivens participates in faculty governance and is the RN-BSN ExcelTrack^® Faculty Mentor. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Bivens was a faculty member for LPN, RN, and RN-to-BSN programs and also served as coordinator for two high-fidelity simulation centers one in a face-to-face associate’s in nursing (ADN) program and one in a face-to-face LPN program. She has worked in various areas of clinical nursing practice including labor and delivery, postpartum, operating room, medical-surgical (gynecology), and sick baby care.                                          

Education: DNP Purdue Global University; MSN, Florida State University

Certifications: Certified Online Instructor (COI)

Honors and Achievements: Spirit of Kaplan Outstanding Online Faculty Leader Award (Kaplan University), Spirit of Excellence Award, additional teaching awards including outstanding course lead, classroom innovation, and faculty champion

Memberships:  NLN

Research Interests: Emotions of online learners and computer-based simulation, predictors of success for ADN students, and group thinking in nursing

Catherine Black is a full-time faculty member in the ADN program at Purdue Global, where she teaches various courses focusing on fundamentals of nursing and medical surgical nursing as well as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology. She was a staff nurse for 14 years and a patient education coordinator for 5 years before going into nursing education. Black is active in the Iowa League for Nursing for the past 8 years and a member of the Board of the ILN from 2012-2014, president-elect from 2014 to 2016, and president from 2016 to 2018. She is also an NLN Ambassador and the campus advisor for the international honor society of Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Mu Sigma Chapter.She has also completed all course work towards her PhD in Nursing Education at Capella University.

Education: MSN, University of New Mexico; BSN, University of New Mexico

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator

Jami Bregenzer began her teaching career at Purdue Global as adjunct faculty in the MSN PMHNP program, and she has transitioned to full-time faculty in December 2022. Bregenzer teaches courses within the PMHNP specialty and serves as a program lead.

Education: MSN, Walden University; BSN, Regis University; AND, West Virginia Northern Community College        

Publications: Bregenzer, J. (2022). Improving outpatient mental health compliance rates using telehealth. OhioLink ETD.            

Certifications: PMHNP in the state of Ohio, DATA waivered

Honors and Achievements: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducted 2019; National Society of Leadership and Success inducted 2018

Memberships: National Society of Leadership and Success           

Research Interests: Mental Health, Telehealth

Sarah Brown joined Purdue Global as an adjunct instructor for the nurse practitioner program in 2015. She was advanced to a full-time adjunct position in 2017. Her responsibilities include facilitating effective delivery of curricula in the graduate nursing program, primarily in the clinical courses. Brown's career path is inclusive of women's health, family practice, and wound care. She volunteers at a free clinic to the underinsured in her county and has precepted new graduate NPs in many settings along her career path. Brown is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2006 and is licensed in Florida.

Education: DNP, Chatham University; MSN, University of Central Florida; BSN, University of Central Florida; ASN Daytona State College

Publications: DNP project on medication adherence accepted for publication in Today's Geriatric Medicine

As a long-time nurse, Carla Cerra started as a nursing assistant then built upon early experiences and education throughout her career. Cerra started first as an adjunct professor, then full-time faculty member, and then as the program lead for the AGPC nurse practitioner track. The foundation of nursing rests on a holistic model of care, a new concept that Cerra tries to demonstrate in her engagement with the students. She was previously a certified as a clinical research coordinator where she worked primarily with trauma research and coordinated a large, intensive R0-1 NIH sponsored trial on the effects of oxygen therapy for severe acute traumatic brain injury. Cerra is interested in teaching and building upon the breadth of knowledge that prepares students and nurse practitioners to skillfully partner with patients and families in the face of adversity and she serves as a DNP mentor for students at Purdue Global.

Education: PMHNP post-master’s certification (in process), Purdue Global; Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of South Alabama; MS in Nursing, AGPCNP concentration, University of South Alabama; BA in Nursing, The College of St. Scholastica; Associate Degree in Nursing, Hibbing Community College

Publications: Rockswold, S.B., Rockswold. G, Zaun, D. A., Zhang, X., Cerra, C., Bergman, T. Liu, J. (2010). A prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare the effect of hyperbaric to normobaric hyperoxia on cerebral metabolism, intracranial pressure, and oxygen toxicity in severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurosurgery, 112(5), 1080-1094. https://doi:10.3171/2009.7.JN

Certifications: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC); Certified Case Manager (CCM); Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC); Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC); Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)

Honors and Achievements: Medical Committee Appointment 2015; Chair of Hennepin Healthcare's Biomedical Ethics Committee; The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty 2021

Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Minnesota APRN Coalition; Minnesota Nurse Practitioners (MNNP); American Nurses Association; American Psychiatric Nurses Association; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Zeta & Phi Ro Chapters); PG Innovative Learning and Technology Committee

Research Interests: Clinical research; trauma research; effects of oxygen therapy for severe acute traumatic brain injury; the impact of stress, moral distress, moral harm, and burnout that many nurses face in the workplace

Elizabeth Chapman has been with Purdue Global since 2011. Chapman teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program; other responsibilities include curriculum review, course lead duties, and service on the Academic Policies Committee. Chapman has held faculty positions in various nursing degree programs and has over 30 years of experience in critical care, palliative care, and community health. Chapman serves on numerous committees within the community. She has attended and presented at numerous conferences and presented, internationally, nationally, and regionally on best practices in online education.

Education: DNP, Medical College of Georgia; MS, Troy State University; BSN, Columbus State University; ASN, Columbus State University

Publications: Nurse Educator, Creative Nursing, Perspectives in Learning

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (AACN), Certified Nurse Educator (NLN)

Research Interests: Online learning, student engagement, and educational technology, and compassion fatigue in nurse educators

Glenna Chickering teaches classes in the School of Nursing. Her previous experience includes 18 years as a medical-surgical nurse. In that time, she has also worked at a surgical/trauma office. Chickering was a clinical coordinator for 13 years and acted as an interim manager for one year. She also did some adjunct clinical for a few terms.

Education: DNP, Purdue Global; MS, Walden University

Certifications: American Nurses Credentialing Center, Medical Surgical Certified, Basic Life Support Instructor Certified

Honors and Achievements: Clinical Ladder Four

Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau

Research Interests: Cultural awareness and influences on health

Kathie Clark teaches undergraduate classes in the Purdue Global ADN program. She joined Purdue Global as adjunct faculty in 2020 and currently serves as a full-time faculty member and course lead, teaching didactic, lab and clinical courses in Augusta, Maine. Clark has extensive leadership and frontline nursing experience in the ambulatory, primary, and acute care settings as well as teaching experience with new graduate RNs and clinical nurse apprenticeship students. In addition to her faculty role at Purdue Global, she has been involved with Maine CDC Emergency Health Volunteer Services, State of Maine Frontline Leadership Apprentice Program & Organization of Maine Nursing Leadership.      

Education:  MSN, Purdue Global; BSN, University of Maine at Augusta; ADN, University of Maine at Augusta

Certification: ACLS American Heart Association, NIHSS Stroke Certification           

Honors and Achievements: State of Maine Frontline Leadership Apprentice, OMNE Nursing Summit presenter, Daisy Award nominee, Purdue Global School of Nursing Outstanding New Faculty Award 2021        

Memberships: American Nurses Association       

Research Interests: Patient Education and Transition of Care

Angela Crawford began her career at Purdue Global in 2008 as an adjunct nursing professor teaching didactic and clinical courses in the BSN and MSN Programs. Crawford is now a full-time faculty member in the graduate nursing program and serves as the course lead of Advanced Pathophysiology. She has been active in the curriculum revision process. Her nursing career includes pediatric emergency, pediatric endocrinology and pediatric primary care.  

Education: MSN, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; BSN, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Nursing

Certifications: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board); PALS

Memberships: National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners              

Research Interests: Pediatric Obesity

Amy Daly has worked in nursing education for over 26 years, teaching in associate’s, baccalaureate, and master’s degree nursing programs. At Purdue Global, she serves as the program lead for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. In this role, she assists in providing leadership in designated areas, focusing on academic operations that support timely student matriculation to program completion. She also serves as the nursing representative to the University’s Faculty Senate, and is chair of the School of Nursing Assessment and Evaluation Committee. Daly is the faculty liaison to the School of Nursing Leadership Council. In practice, she has worked in nursing administration, staff development, risk management, telephone triage, and community education. She has served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross in Mississippi and a state nursing organization. Currently, Daly serves as an on-site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Education: PhD, William Carey University; MSN, Louisiana State University; BSN, William Carey College

Morgan Dutler teaches in a variety of classes and currently teaches the pharmacology course at Purdue Global, including in the lab along with the capstone and its associated lab. She also teaches in the maternity and pediatric labs. Along with those classes, she assists students in studying and preparing for their NCLEX exams. Previously, Dutler spent the beginning of her nursing career in long-term care, where she eventually was the director of nursing. In 2006, she changed paths and started working in Women's Services at Iowa Lutheran Hospital as a maternity nurse. In 2008, she took an adjunct position with Purdue Global as a clinical instructor, becoming a full-time faculty member in 2016.

Education: MSN, Gonzaga University; BSN, GranView University; LPN, Southwestern Community College

Caroline Saint-Fleur Elistin began her tenure at Purdue Global as adjunct professor in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program in November of 2022. Elistin is an award winning, board certified Family & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

In her professional life, Dr. Elistin has been an educator and healthcare provider for over 22 years and is passionate about caring, teaching, and giving back to her community. Her experience includes pediatrics, geriatrics, family practice, community health nursing, leadership, and course developer of online teaching for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs. She served as a Assistant Dean of Faculty for 7 years. She currently works as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner and assistant professor.

Education: DNP, University of Miami; MSN-Ed, Barry University; BSN, University of Miami

Certifications: FNP-BC, Barry University; Psychiatric Mental Nurse Practitioner PMHNP-BC, University of Miami

Honors and Achievements: Beta Eta Sigma Honor Society; Nurse Practitioner of the Year 2010, Ambulatory Care Center, Jackson Memorial Hospital; Nursing Excellence Award 2010, Jackson Memorial Hospital; 2013 Florida Worksite Wellness Award Winner; Nurse Practitioner of the Year, 2018, University of Miami; 2021America’s Top NP: Hematologic Oncology

Memberships: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Assistant Financial Secretary 2021-Present; Risk Management, Chair 2023-Present; Build Our Economic Wealth, Co-chair 2023-Present; American Nurses Association; American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Psychiatric Nurse Association; Black Nurses Association, Inc. Miami Chapter; Florida Nurses Association (FNP); Florida Nurse Practitioner Association; Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. Secretary 2023-2025, Education Co-chair 2021-Present, Wellness Program Co-chair 2023-Present; Recruitment and Retention Co-Chair 2023-Present; Haitian Alliance Nurses Association International; National Black Nurses Association, Inc.; Oncology Nursing Society; Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honors Society; We Invest in Our Marriage, Inc. (WIM

Research Interests: Perceptions of Second-Generation Haitian Americans Regarding Barriers to Mental Health Treatment; mental health care barriers facing Haitian Americans; mental health and the postpartum woman; stress levels and depressive symptoms in NICU mothers in the early postpartum period

Jessica Finken graduated from the Purdue Global Family Nurse Practitioner program in the spring of 2023. She began her academic teaching career at Purdue Global School of Nursing the fall of 2023 as a skills and simulation instructor. Finken brings with her 20 plus years of nursing and healthcare experience from a variety of settings inclusive of both hospital as well as clinics, in various specialties across all ages and stages. Areas of clinical experience includes med/surg, operating room, urgent care, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, oncology, dermatology, gastroenterology and endoscopy, cardiology, hand orthopedics, immunizations, and pediatric and family medicine. As a lifelong learner she is dedicated to continued education and process improvement in regards to patient care and the nursing field. She is committed to student success and strives to foster an environment where students develop their nursing skills and increase their confidence as future leaders in healthcare.        

Education: MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, Purdue Global University; BSN, Colorado Technical University; RN & Surgical Technology, Western Iowa Tech         

Certifications: AANP-Family NP-C

Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Research Interests: Nurse Education, Advancement of education via virtual and simulation environments, Pain management strategies, Pediatrics, Women's Health

Tyffany Florczyk is a full-time faculty member in the School of Nursing graduate program. Florcayk holds dual certifications as a family nurse practitioner and adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. She has over fifteen years of experience within the healthcare realm. Florczyk has worked in multiple areas including dialysis, medical-surgical nursing, critical care, progressive care, primary care, and as a clinical and theory instructor for both graduate and undergraduate traditional nursing programs. She enjoys sharing her clinical experiences in the classroom and educating students on the importance of providing holistic and equitable patient care.     

Education: DNP, Missouri State University; BSN and MSN/Ed, Western Governors University              

Certifications: AANP: Family Nurse Practitioner, ANCC: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Honors and Achievements: Quality Improvement Award, Ascension Macomb Hospital, 2013; Daisy Award, Ascension Macomb Hospital 2013; Nursing Excellence, Ascension Macomb Hospital 2014    

Memberships: American Nurse Association         

Research Interests: Decreasing infections in hemodialysis patients; increasing student engagement in online learning; healthcare equity

Rachel Goldenstein began to teach full time in the associate’s nursing degree (ADN) program at Purdue Global in 2014. She currently teaches several classes for the ADN program. Prior to teaching, Goldenstein worked as a registered nurse in multiple hospitals and areas across the United States. Her main experience was in the intensive care unit and emergency room.

Education: MSN, University of North Carolina

Julie Grissom has clinical expertise in the areas of emergency nursing, critical care, adult coronary, and trauma. She became a faculty member for the School of Nursing in 2012, and currently serves on the Faculty Curriculum Committee and the University Ethics GEL committee. Grissom practiced clinically as an RN for over 15 years before beginning her academic career. She served as vice president and president of the South Mississippi Medical Alliance and on the Mississippi State Medical Alliance Board. At Purdue Global, she served on the School of Nursing Assessment and Evaluation Committee and chaired the School of Nursing Curriculum Committee.

Education: PhD, William Carey University; MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); BSN, University of Southern Mississippi

Memberships: Phi Rho Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

Rachel Grothe is a graduate of Presentation College's Bachelor of Science Nursing program. She began her career at Purdue Global Council Bluffs in 2023 as an adjunct faculty member in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program teaching simulation lab courses, Nursing Fundamentals and Pharmacology. In 2024 she also started teaching Mental Health, and she accepted a position to become full time faculty. Grothe’s nursing career started in 2008 in long term care in Oakland Nebraska at Oakland care center. In 2016, she worked at CHI health in Plastic surgery clinic and orthopedic trauma clinic. Grothe has also worked at the Omaha Nebraska department of Veterans affairs in the ambulatory out-patient clinic and helped in the Medical Surgical unit and mental health floors during the initial covid-19 outbreak assisting one on one patients. She enjoyed mental health so much that she began a certified support group facilitator through NAMI after attending one of their training sessions.             

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Publications: Cross-Grothe, R. (2017, January 24). Insights from #12: Paperback. Barnes & Noble. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/insights-from-12-rachel-cross-grothe/1125550095

Certifications: American Heart Association Instructor

Brooke Hanner is a full-time faculty member in the nursing program at Purdue Global. Hanner joined Purdue Global as an adjunct instructor in 2023. Her experience includes 14 years of bedside nursing, with the majority of her focus being critical/intensive care. Hanner has filled several roles including charge nurse, preceptor, UPC member, and was nominated for a Daisy Award.          

Education: BSN, University of Nebraska Medical Center; BA, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Certifications: Critical Care RN   

Honors and Achievements: Daisy Award Nominee           

Memberships: American Academy of Critical Care Nurses

Mercedes Harris began her career at Purdue Global Council Bluffs in 2022 as an adjunct faculty member in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program teaching simulation lab courses, Nursing Fundamentals and Pharmacology. As she transitioned to full-time nursing faculty in 2023, she also began teaching the simulation lab course for Medical Surgical I, and she serves as the course lead for Pharmacology clinical. Harris’ nursing career began from accepting a job from my capstone preceptorship in 2019 at Bethany Lutheran Health Services where she worked with long-term care, rehabilitation, and hospice. She served as a staff nurse at Nebraska Medicine where she worked frontline with Covid-19, step down ICU, and medical surgical. Her most recent experience in nursing is with Children's Hospital and Medical Center where she worked primarily with pediatric hematology/oncology, diabetic care/management, medical surgical, and ICU.           

Education: MSN Ed, Grand Canyon University; BSN, Purdue Global University       

Certifications: American Heart Association Instructor      

Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society (GCU), OADN

Minjung Hong-DeCapio is a dedicated nurse educator and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who joined Purdue University Global with a wealth of experience in clinical practice, patient-centered care, and nursing education. Hong-DeCapio has taught various courses in health policy, advanced diagnostics, adult and pediatric health, and women’s health at the graduate level. Her expertise extends to conducting hands-on immersion sessions in health assessment and clinical skills, ensuring students receive comprehensive training for their roles as advanced practice nurses. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Hong-DeCapio served in multiple healthcare roles, including as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Park Plaza Pediatrics and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, where she provided acute and chronic care management for diverse populations. With years of clinical and teaching experience, she combines practical expertise with academic rigor, focusing on fostering critical thinking and compassionate care in her students.

While Hong-DeCapio is dedicated to excellence in nursing education, she is also passionate about improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practices and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her background in pediatric and family care and her commitment to holistic, patient-centered education make her a valued contributor to Purdue University Global’s mission of advancing nursing education.

Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Touro University Nevada; Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP), City University of New York, Lehman College; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Chung-Ang University        

Publications: Hong-DeCapio, M. (2020). The AAP asthma guideline for pediatric primary care. Doctors of Nursing Practice. Retrieved from 
https://www.doctorsofnursingpractice.org/wp-content/uploads/project_form/abstract_270620044645.pdf     

Certifications: AANP: Family Nurse Practitioner, BLS, ACLS, PALS

Memberships: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners             

Research Interests: Enhancing pediatric and family healthcare through evidence-based guidelines and interdisciplinary approaches to chronic disease management; asthma management in primary care, the role of technology in improving patient outcomes and care coordination; advancing patient-centered care models; preparing the next generation of nurse practitioners for real-world challenges

Theresa Jones began her career with Purdue Global in 2021 as an adjunct professor in the nurse practitioner program and is now a full-time professor for the School of Nursing, MSN Nurse Practitioner program. Jones has been teaching mainly in the primary care focus clinical courses during her career with Purdue Global. Her extensive experience includes 19 years of nursing with a background in critical care (Trauma, Medical, and Neuro) as an RN for 13 years, and has spent the past six years as a nurse practitioner in family practice for a large community health organization. She has been working in an integrated family practice treating chronic conditions, acute conditions, and mental health along with a behavioral health team. Jones serves as a preceptor for student NP’s, and she enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with her students in the clinic as well as in the classroom.

Education: DNP/FNP, University of Arizona; BSN, Grand Canyon University; ADN, Gateway Community College

Certifications: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP); licensed in the state of Arizona; Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); BLS

Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)          

Research Interests: Diabetes management, rural health

Beulah Joshua is a graduate nursing faculty member for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Purdue Global. Joshua is dual certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her areas of expertise include working with forensic clients, management of substance use disorder, and treating clients throughout their lifespan, including all age groups. She has a passion for teaching and ongoing learning. Dunning also continues to practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner treating a wide range of underserved clients, both children, and adults, with mental health needs. She has experience in leadership, teaching, and direct patient care. Her nursing career spans over 20 years in various specialties, including critical care, emergency nursing, forensic nursing, cardiology, neurovascular, risk management, and patient safety.      

Education: DNP, University of Missouri-Kansas City; FNP, University of Missouri-Kansas City; PMHNP, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Arkansas State University; BSN, MGR University

Certifications: PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, RN     

Honors and Achievements: Nurse Excellence Award, Mosaic Life Care    

Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

American Nurses Association

Missouri Nurses Association

American Psychiatric Nurses Association

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Academy of Forensic Nursing

International Association of Forensic Nurses

National League for Nursing

Research Interests: Effect of trauma on mental health, substance use impact on mental health, the influence of risky behavior on adolescents’ mental health

Melody Lehosit brings more than 20 years of teaching and clinical nursing experience to her role at Purdue Global where teaches both core MSN and Family Nurse Practitioner courses. Her service includes Faculty Senate and Faculty Curriculum Committee, course lead roles as well as subject matter expert during course revisions. Lehoist has been a medical program director for a community college. She has taught in face-to-face settings and a variety of online platforms; clinical and didactic. She has extensive experience in alternative site care including as a family nurse practitioner in urgent care. Melody also shares her leadership experience having held positions as regional nurse manager for home infusion pharmacies, and as a director of nursing in long term care.     

Education: DNP, West Virginia University; FNP-Certificate, West Virginia University; MSN-Education, Kaplan University; MS Community Health Promotion, West Virginia University; BSN, West Virginia Wesleyan College; ASN, New York University

Publications: Ready to Quit: A Feasibility Study for Practice Change in Smoking Cessation Readiness. West Virginia University, Ann Arbor: ProQuest.

Alpha Rho Biennial Research Conference. West Virginia University. Podium and poster. Smoking Cessation Readiness in Rural Populations: A Systematic Review.

National Public Health Week, Webinar Presentation: HIV AIDS in the United States; Epidemiology and Overview of High Impact Prevention Measures, Kaplan.

Licensure and Certifications: AANP, Family Nurse Practitioner; ACLS; PALS; CRNI

Honors and Achievements: 2022 Daisy Award Faculty; 2021 Optum Super Hero Nominee; 2020 AAAA Leadership Optum Winner   

Memberships: National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties; Infusion Nursing Society

Research Interests: Preventive health, curriculum development, adult learning

Elaina Mahlan began teaching for the School of Nursing in 2011. Currently, she teaches first-semester RN students in the BSN program. She also serves as the course lead and subject matter expert for the professional leadership course. Her efforts include oversight and optimization of both modularized and competency-based versions of this course. Mahlan is a licensed registered nurse whose career includes practice and professional certifications in oncology and faith community nursing. Her publications include professional career development resources for Nurses Without Borders, LinkedIn, eLearners, and the Journal of Christian Nursing.

Education: MSN, Walden University; MS Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); Post-Master’s Certificate, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator

Honors and Achievements: Outstanding Full Time Faculty Member (Kaplan University), additional teaching honors

Jessica Manning currently teaches a variety of undergraduate School of Nursing courses in the areas of maternal-infant nursing, pathophysiology, and leadership and nursing trends. She is also a course lead, active in the curriculum revision process, and has extensive experience in running a variety of nursing simulations. Manning is an RN in the state of Iowa and has worked in both the hospital and clinic setting. Her primary experience is in maternal-infant nursing. Manning is an elected member of Faculty Senate and member of the Waiver Committee at Purdue Global.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); BSN, Coe College

Honors and Achievements: 2014 Instructor Excellence Award (Kaplan University)

Memberships: Iowa League for Nursing, National League for Nursing, Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

Wendy Mason was the chair of the MSN program from 2011 to 2013, after which she resumed her position as a professor teaching in the graduate programs. She has created curriculum for a number of the School’s nursing programs and helped develop the successful doctoral program. Mason has previously served as a staff and charge nurse and served populations with psychiatric needs. She has also developed policies and procedures and worked closely with community and statewide primary care providers and policymakers. In 2016, she transitioned into holistic nursing and earned her certification as a Reiki Practitioner. Her research has been published in a wide variety of journals and books.

Education: PhD, California Institute of Integral Studies

Casey McGuire began her career with Purdue Global University in 2020 as nursing adjunct faculty. After becoming full time faculty, she has served as a course lead and clinical coordinator for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program. She has over 15 years of nursing experience, in various specialties.            

Education: MSN, Purdue University Global; BSN, Upper Iowa University; ASN, Kirkwood Community College

Lauren Metayer began her career at Purdue Global in 2019 and currently serves as a full-time nursing professor at the Waterville, Maine, location. In her role, she teaches didactic Pharmacology and Medical/Surgical Nursing 2, in the clinical and lab environments. She also holds the position of course lead for the Med/Surg 2 lab/clinical course. Prior to her academic career, Metayer worked in liaison roles and admissions coordination for a large Maine-based long-term care network. Additionally, she has extensive experience in acute inpatient physical rehabilitation, having practiced at a local hospital for 10 years.

Education: MSN-Ed, Purdue Global; MSHA, Southern New Hampshire University; RN-BSN, University of Southern Maine.

Honors and Achievements: 2025 Purdue OWL Award winner for Outstanding Public Service Award. 2025 Purdue Owl Award nomination for Faculty Hall of Fame Award

Elizabeth Pauls is a full-time nursing faculty member at Purdue Global Cedar Rapids/Anamosa campus. Pauls began her career at Purdue Global as an adjunct clinical faculty member in Nursing Fundamentals prior to transitioning to full-time in 2023. Pauls has previously served as a staff and charge nurse on the Medical/NASA (negative airflow specialty area) unit at Mercy Iowa City as well as both the Inpatient Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Cardiac/Telemetry units at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids for the last three years. Through her experiences serving patients with traumatic brain injuries in various settings/specialties of nursing, she earned the distinction of becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist in 2022. She currently teaches Nursing Fundamentals and Medical-Surgical CL courses for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program.           

Education: BSN, Mercy College of Health Sciences            

Certifications: Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

Shirlean Bennett joined Purdue Global University in 2022 as a Full-Time faculty member for the DNP program. Bennett began her nursing career as a nursing officer in the United States Airforce, as a clinical nurse and community educator. She has held various positions as a clinical specialist in acute care settings, Faculty, and Academic Dean in undergraduate and graduate programs. Bennett continues to work with clinics and organizations as a nurse consultant and clinician, within her community.

Education: DNP in executive leadership, Chamberlain University; MSN, Regis University; BSN, East Stroudsburg University       

Certifications: Certified Health Care Educator

Publications: Numerous presentations at nursing conferences

“Cultivating Cultural Competence in Nursing Faculty” Transcultural Nursing Society/New Orleans, LA (November 22, 2014).

Honors and Achievements: Awarded ‘Manager of the year 2016’ and ‘Most valued Clinical Educator 2011’ 

Memberships:  Virginia Nursing Association; National League of Nursing, Active Member

Research Interests: Cultural competency in nursing faculty, creating community within the online environment, and faculty burn-out.

Hilary Reeves joined Purdue Global’s Houston campus in 2024 as a full-time faculty member and NCLEX. She brings extensive clinical experience spanning diverse patient populations across the lifespan, including neonatal intensive care (NICU), pediatrics, family medicine, and oncology. Additionally, Reeves has served as a clinical research nurse and clinical studies coordinator, managing clinical trials for patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma. Her expertise combines hands-on patient care with advanced research coordination, enhancing her ability to guide future nurses.            

Education: MSN, University of Texas at Arlington; BSN Texas Woman's University; BA Baylor University           

Certifications: OCN, Oncology Certified Nurse    

Memberships: Oncology Nursing Society; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society; International Association of Clinical Research Nurses; The Association for Nursing Professional Development

Research Interests: Management and treatment of uveal melanoma, genetic predisposition factors for rare cancers, patient safety outcomes related to nurse-to-patient ratios in ICU settings

Lisa Ricker is a full-time nursing Professor of Pediatric and Obstetrical Nursing. Her career in maternal-child nursing includes work in the hospital, community, office, and academic settings.

Education: MSN, Purdue Global; BSN, University of Southern Maine

Certifications: PALS

Honors and Achievements: Twice nominated for DAISY Award

Memberships: Society of Pediatric Nursing

Lisa Riecke is a full-time faculty member and a NCLEX Mentor for the ADN program at Purdue Global. Riecke currently teaches and is course lead for Nursing Pharmacology. In the NCLEX Mentor role she works with students to prep for NCLEX exam. She joined Purdue Global in 2015 as an adjunct instructor in the LPN program and taught several courses, labs and clinicals in the Pre-Licensure BSN program for Fundamentals, Geriatrics, and Medical/Surgical classes. Riecke previously worked as clinical coordinator and has been an RN since 1996 with extensive experience as an RN in Surgery, GI and Cardiac units in Kansas and Nebraska.

Education: MSN Ed, Western Governors University; BSN, Western Governors University; AND, Johnson County Community College       

Honors and Achievements: Faculty Daisy Award 2016    

Memberships: American Nurses Association

Tonja Ross began her career with Purdue University Global in 2023 and she started off as an adjunct clinical professor for the Associates of Nursing Program. Ross became full time faculty in 2024 with the Associates of Nursing Program. Her experience includes over 15 years of tutoring in Math and Science high school students. She enjoys the challenge of creating different teaching styles to assist everyone in learning and understanding. Ross earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2018 from Purdue Global University. She has worked in rehab and long-term care for the past six years after graduating. She has worked for the Ambassador of Omaha and the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home. During that time, she has earned two Employee of the Month awards. Ross enjoys getting to know her patients/residents and finding new ways for them to learn more about their conditions. Her goal is to educate as many people as possible.    

Education: BSN, Purdue University Global

Awards and Achievements: Nominated for Daisy Award 2024; Employee of the Month at Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home in 2023; Employee of the Month at Ambassador of Omaha in 2020

Tomeka Royster is a full-time faculty member in the graduate nursing program and has taught in the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. She currently teaches courses in the nurse practitioner program and is a member of the School of Nursing's Academic Policies Committee. Royster initially entered the health care field as a combat medic in the United States Army Reserves at the age of 17. She eventually became an officer in the United States Army Nursing Corps. Her nursing career includes acute care, nursing research, and psychiatric care as well as primary and geriatric care. Royster was among the first graduating class from the University of South Alabama DNP program, and also the first DNP graduates in the state of Alabama. She remains active in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Education: PhD, William Carey University; DNP, University of South Alabama; MSN, Samford University; BSN, University of Alabama; BS, Samford University

Sheila Rucki is a full-time faculty member in the RN-to-BSN program, subject matter expert for pediatric nursing, and course lead. She oversees the development and implementation of both the modularized and traditional curriculum for population health nursing. Committed to student success she also focuses on practices that support student persistence. Throughout her career in nursing education, she has participated in and led initiatives and committees for curriculum and program development, evaluation, and accreditation. Rucki is an ANCC-certified Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and practiced at Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital for many years. She continues to practice as a public health nurse. She is active in Sigma the International Honor Society of Nursing.

Education: PhD, University of Connecticut; MSN University of Connecticut; BSN, Boston College

Publications: Sheiridan, E. Ann, Rucki, S, in Mandleco and Potts; Pediatric Nursing, Chapter 16: Family Centered Care.  Delmar, Publication  Date.  2016

Certifications: ANCC Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist    

Honors and Achievements: Who's Who in American Nursing       

Memberships: Sigma the International Honor Society of Nursing

Research Interests: Student persistence

Jennifer Sam began her career as adjunct faculty at Purdue Global in 2021. Sam has taught in both the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care nurse practitioner and Psychiatric and Mental Health nurse practitioner programs. She has served on the Curriculum Committee and as course lead for multiple courses.

Education: DNP, the University of Michigan; Post-Master’s certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, University of Michigan; MSN - Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Wayne State University; BSN, Oakland University              

Renee Shell has over 23 years experience as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and has an extensive background in graduate nursing education. Shell currently teaches graduate nursing courses in the family nurse practitioner program at Purdue Global and is course lead. She serves as a liaison between the nursing program and the virtual i-Human© patient-simulation program, and has been involved in course development and revision. Previously, Shell was an associate professor at East Tennessee State University, where she maintained an active practice as a nurse practitioner in a variety of settings and roles, and later taught at University of Virginia and Florida Southern College. She has presented on numerous occasions at local, national, and international levels and she has served as an expert witness and consultant for multiple medical-legal cases. Shell is currently practicing in the role of a family nurse practitioner.

Education: EdD, East Tennessee State University

Laura Shenkman began her career at Purdue Global in 2009 as an adjunct nursing professor teaching didactic and clinical courses and acting as a course lead. She is currently the family nurse practitioner program lead. She also been an integral part of various faculty initiatives including curriculum and policy development, course revisions, and preparation for CCNE accreditation. Shenkman’s current clinical practice is at the Pender County Health Department in rural North Carolina where she provides primary care and oversees three school based health centers using telemedicine. She is active in community organizations that provide support to the migrant farm workers and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for PATH (Pender Alliance for Teen Health).

Education: DNP (in progress), Purdue Global; MSN, Duke University; BSN, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; PA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (American Nurses Credentialing Center)

Research Interests: Understanding the issues and concerns of vulnerable populations with a focus on self-efficacy and health promotion practices of women and adolescents

Tina Skehan has experience in charge nursing in medical/surgical nursing, oncology, telemetry, cardiac rehabilitation, labor and delivery, care of the mother/baby couplet, teaching Lamaze classes, BLS instructor, new RN precepting, inpatient physical rehabilitation, outpatient office RN, video capsule endoscopy, manometry, gastroenterology, OR and CCU experience, clinical adjunct instructor, as well as didactic courses at UMA.

Education: MSN and BSN, St. Joseph's College; ADN, CMMC School of Nursing

Certifications: Basic Life Support Instructor (American Heart Association)

Honors and Achievements: National Honor Society-Sigma Theta Tau International, Front Line Nurse Leading Apprenticeship (State of Maine)

Memberships: American Nurses Association

Research Interests: Patient care, Centers for Disease Control, new nursing evidence-based practice topics, nursing interventions

Hamilton Elijah Smith began his career with Purdue University Global in 2024 as an adjunct professor and recently transitioned to a full-time faculty role in the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Smith previously served in various teaching and administrative roles at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate/doctoral levels. His experience includes over a decade of work in education and healthcare with proven results impacting the health, education, and wellness of underserved communities.        

Education: EdD, Education, Liberty University; PMHNP Postgraduate Certificate, Purdue University; MSN, Entry-Level Nursing, Brenau University; Graduate Certificate in Biology, American College of Education; EdS, Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University; MSEd, Physical Education, Canisius College; BS, Integrative Studies, Clayton State University

Publications: Smith, H. (2018). Literacy & poverty: An insider’s review of literature. Atlanta, GA: Independently published

Smith, H. (2018). Literacy matters: Guided reading instruction in Title I elementary schools. Atlanta, GA: Independently published.

Certifications: PMHNP-BC | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)           

Honors and Achievements: Dr. Shahzad Hashmi Student Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing at Brenau University      

Memberships: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Nurses Association; Georgia Nurses Association

Research Interests: Use of Clinical Case Studies in the Didactic Training of Nurse Practitioners

Mary Smith began her teaching career with Purdue Global University as an adjunct nursing faculty. Smith has been a registered nurse for over 27 years, and a family nurse practitioner for over 23 years. Her clinical practice experience has consisted of providing health services to rural elderly and disabled individuals with 12 years of academic teaching experience.      

Education: BSN, Mississippi University for Women; MSN, Mississippi University for Women; DNP, University of Alabama        

Publications: Smith, M. The Influence of Health Equity on Patient Outcomes in Orthopaedics. Orthopaedic Nursing Journal, 41(2), 172-177.

Smith, M., Smith, W., Atchley, D., & Atchley, L. (2021). Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Ambulatory Surgery Center Setting: Best Practices for Cost Containment and Clinical Care Delivery. Orthopaedic Nursing Journal, 40(1), 7-13.

Smith, M., Torres, L., Burton, T. (2020). Patient Rights at the End of Life: The Ethics of Physician Assisted Death and Dying with Dignity. Professional Case Management, 25(2), 77-84.

Smith, M. (2020). I’m Sorry: Laws that Support Apologies in Health Care. Professional Case Management, 25(1), 40-45.

Smith, M. (2019). Developing health policy that drives compassion in a value driven healthcare system. Professional Case Management, 24(6), 329-332. 

Certifications: Registered Nurse; Family Nurse Practitioner board certified through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center  

Honors and Achievements:
2018 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in policy and clinical practice

2015 Nan Hilt Writer’s Award, National Association of Orthopedic Nurses

2014 National Rural Health Association Policy Fellow

Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Society for Public Administrators; American Academy of Medical Ethics; National Rural Health Association

Research Interests: Rural Health, quality based reimbursement structures, burnout among healthcare workers

Joan Taylor joined Purdue Global School of Nursing in 2017 as an adjunct nursing professor teaching didactic and clinical courses. Taylor has been in nursing education for 12 years, teaching in Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate Degree Nursing Programs. Currently, at Purdue Global she teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, has course lead duties and serves on the Faculty Development Committee and Faculty Curriculum Committee. In practice she has 26 years of nursing experience in a variety of nursing areas and has practiced as a FNP for the past 13 years in primary care, public health, and women’s health.            

Education: DNP, Purdue Global; MSN, East Carolina University; BSN, East Carolina University; BS in Management and Organizational Development, University of Mount Olive              

Publications: International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship        

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (AANP); Project Management Essentials Certified (PMEC) 

Honors and Achievements: 2021 Purdue Global Outstanding FT Adjunct Member OWL Awards; 2022 Purdue Global DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Honoree for the DNP; Nursing Journal Reviewer 

Memberships: North Carolina Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, North Carolina Public Health Association (Eastern District) Sigma Theta Tau, National League of Nursing      

Research Interests: Population Health, Health Disparities, Mental Health, Innovative Educational Technology, Student Stress in Online Learning

Tracy Towne has been a health care professional for over two decades and has a variety of experiences in the field of nursing and nursing education. At Purdue Global, she teaches undergraduate courses in the RN-to-BSN program and has overseen the development of the specialty courses in case management and faith community nursing. She is also responsible for the program’s capstone course. Towne has worked in urology, orthopedics, oncology, renal, geriatrics, long-term care, home health, private duty nursing, and public health nursing. She has been an instructor at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degree level in a variety of courses.

Education: PhD, Mercer University Georgia Baptist College of Nursing; MSN, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing; BSN, Edgewood College

Research Interests: Management of long-term chronic disease related to Type 2 Diabetes

Sarah Townsend is a full time faculty member in the nursing program at Purdue Global. She began her career at Purdue Global in 2023. She teaches in a variety of clinical and simulation lab courses in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Townsend's background includes 16 years in the Emergency Department working in various roles including educator, charge nurse, and supervisor.

Education: MSN, Nebraska Wesleyan University; BSN, Allen College         

Certifications: Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Memberships: Emergency Nurse's Association and Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society

Sarah Wacht began her career with Purdue Global in 2018. Wacht served as adjunct faculty starting with the organization and has taught in a variety of clinical and labs in addition to participating in curriculum development in the nursing courses for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) in the School of Nursing. Her experience includes 10 years as a registered nurse in emergency services, including flight nursing, and five years teaching adult learners in the ASN program.

Education: BSN, Graceland University     

Certifications: Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)              

Honors and Achievements: Served on two pediatric medical missions in Jamaica in 2016 and 2017     

Memberships: Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

Laura Wood teaches various graduate nursing courses, with a special emphasis on nursing education and leadership. She is a subject matter expert for the nurse educator track and currently chairs multiple committees in service to the University, profession, and public and works as a nurse consultant. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Wood held roles as a wellness coordinator, court advocate, and pediatric nurse.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); BSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); AAS, Prairie State College; ASN, Prairie State College

Publications: Using a Telephone Call to Increase Social Presence in Online Classes

Certifications: Certified Nurse Care Manager (American Board of Managed Care Nursing