I am honored to be a candidate for the Governance Committee of Sigma. Sigma is the premier international nursing organization, recognizing and supporting excellence in nursing for over 100 years. I have benefited from my Sigma membership through program offerings on formal mentoring and professional development for more than thirty years. I have been an active member of Sigma through chapter and international service for over 10 years and have been the recipient of leadership development opportunities offered by the organization. I am an alum of the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy (NFLA) and excited to share my leadership experience, professional service, and committee membership aims.
I have served in numerous leadership positions in our healthcare system for over thirty-five years. I was recently appointed as the Indiana University Kokomo Dean and Professor for the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. Previously, I served as the Indiana University School of Nursing, Bloomington Campus, Interim Associate Dean and Assistant Dean for Academic Operations from 2022 to 2025. Additionally, I have served as the Director for the Statewide RN to BSN Degree Completion Option for all nine campuses with Indiana University before 2022. In the clinical setting, I was the Central Indiana Regional Quality Data Manager for Franciscan Health. I understand the value of cultivating relationships regularly with clinical community partners and university leadership to promote program success.
My professional service experience has progressed over time, similar to my leadership experiences. My leadership roles for Alpha Chapter of Sigma include serving as the chapter delegate during two biennial conventions, Past President (2024-2025), President (2022-2024), President-Elect (2021-2022), Vice President (2018-2020), Treasurer (2015-2018), Leadership Succession Committee Chair (2013-2015) for Alpha Chapter. Of note, I was elected as the North America Region 9 Regional Coordinator for Sigma from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, I was appointed to the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) as an On-Site Program Evaluator, supporting continuous quality improvement and promoting excellence in national and international schools of nursing education. I was elected to the Bloomington Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2024. Additionally, I have served on the Indiana Association for Healthcare Quality Board of Directors from 2015 to present and was the president of the organization from 2016 to 2017.
As a member of the Governance Committee, I would bring my leadership experience, professional background, and service experience to the position. The primary responsibilities for the Governance Committee role are to ensure bylaws compliance, bring forward recommendations for any bylaws changes, and oversee member and chapter eligibility issues. With an eye for detail, I would be an active and contributing member of this international Governance Committee to ensure that the committee’s work is aligned with the mission and values of Sigma. I am committed to this elite organization and live our mission each day through my leadership and career path. Our membership comprises a talented nursing community that continues to make a difference in the lives of those they touch each day.