I am honored to be a candidate for Sigma’s North America Region 7 Regional Coordinator. I am applying for this position to strengthen collaboration, mentorship, and innovation across Region 7 chapters, aligning with Sigma’s mission to drive chapter excellence and collective impact. I bring 28 years of professional nursing experience and 19 years in academia, with a career dedicated to advancing nursing education and leadership. I hold an ADN, BSN, MSN, MPH, a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Studies, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration with a focus on leadership and policy, all from the University of South Carolina (USC). I am a Certified Nurse Educator, Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator, and a fellow of the North Carolina Nurses Association Diversity in Nursing Leadership program. This foundation has shaped my career and prepared me to support Sigma’s mission with intention and impact.
Sigma has played a vital role in my professional journey for over 25 years, shaping me into the nursing leader I am today. I have served the Alpha Xi Chapter in numerous officer roles, including President, President-Elect, Vice President, Counselor, and Chair of the Awards and Membership Committees, as well as serving on the Finance and Publicity committees. I am most proud of my tenure as Chapter President (2022-2024), where I worked alongside an exceptional board to achieve the Chapter Key Award, Region 7 Recognition Award, and the SC Nurses Foundation’s Palmetto Gold Supporter Award. During this time, we increased board membership by 120%, programming by 138%, reduced inactive membership by 87%, and increased student membership by 307% and social media engagement by 6500%.
Beyond the chapter level, I served Sigma as a Career Advisor, Event Moderator, Walk to End Alzheimer's Leader, and Chapter Key Award Reviewer. On the Region 7 Engagement Committee, I led our first Region 7 Town Hall and the inaugural Sigma SC Chapters Collaborative film screening and panel on health equity. These experiences reflect my commitment to Sigma’s mission and my ability to foster innovation, collaboration, and leadership across the region.
As a Professor at the USC College of Nursing, I have held impactful leadership roles, including Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Interim RN-BSN and RN-MSN Program Directors. I currently serve on the SC Board of Nursing Advisory Committee on Nursing Education (BSN Educator Representative); Midlands of SC Black Nurses Association (Bylaws and Health Policy Chair); SC Nurses Association (Racial Reckoning Taskforce); and the SJS Canada Foundation (Advisory Committee Chair). My service also extends to community-based efforts, including Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and Transitions Homeless Shelter. These roles reflect my dedication to servant leadership, nursing excellence, and community engagement.
If elected as Regional 7 Coordinator, I will:
- Foster collaboration across chapters and among clinical, community, and academic leaders,
- Support implementation of strategic plans and innovative practices,
- Assist chapters in meeting Chapter Key Award criteria,
- Serve as a liaison between Region 7 chapters and Sigma, and
- Celebrate regional diversity and success while offering tailored, responsive support.