Center for Success of Women Faculty

What is your current job title and responsibilities?
Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Nursing.  I teach undergraduate students as well as RNs who are seeking the BSN.

What is your history at UCF and before UCF?
Prior to joining UCF in 1989 I held positions as Director of Nursing for several rehabilitation hospitals; Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist; Rehabilitation Nurse Consultant in private practice.

After joining UCF, I worked as a faculty member teaching undergraduate students; in 1995 I became the RN-BSN Program Coordinator, and in 2007 was named as Associate  Dean, Undergraduate Programs, College of Nursing.  I was one of the pioneers for teaching online (1998), was a major contributor for developing the first completely online RN-BSN program in the state (2000), and an online Graduate Certificate Program in Nursing Education (2002).

What is your academic background?
EdD –  University of Central Florida, Orlando – Curriculum & Instruction

MA – New York University, NY – Rehabilitation Nursing

BSN – University of Florida, Gainesville – Nursing

What is your favorite UCF memory?
Volunteering to perform a “dance off” to raise money for nursing scholarships (similar to “Dancing with the Stars”).  I discovered a whole new world, since I had never danced before, and have continued ballroom dancing to maintain my own physical and cognitive function.  I now volunteer to work with Alzheimer’s Disease patients and caregivers as well as special needs groups to help them learn to dance to improve function.

If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? ($ and time no object)
Building a College of Nursing on the Lake Nona Medical City Campus, including a state of the art simulation lab and living/learning spaces for nursing students.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
From the lyrics of the song by Lee Ann Womack,  “when you get the choice to sit it out or dance……I hope you dance”  By that I mean get involved with living, stretch your imagination, try something new, don’t become stagnant.

If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF (who you do not normally eat lunch with), who would you choose and why?
Martha Hitt;  such a lovely and gracious lady who represents UCF well.

Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
Jean Leuner, Diane Wink, and Mary Lou Sole all encouraged me throughout my career to be the best that I could be and to accept new challenges.

Name and describe a teacher or researcher from your past who truly inspired you and why.
Marcella Kilsilka, UCF College of Education.  She was such a knowledgeable educator and a true role model for teaching.

What undergraduate or graduate class/program/experience inspired you the most and why?
Teaching first semester nursing students and watching the lights come on as they discover the art and science of becoming a nurse.

What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Restaurant:  Cooper’s Hawk;    Food: German.

What is your favorite movie, book or music?
Book:  The Source by James A. Michener.

What is your favorite vacation destination?
Europe, especially river cruising.