Michele Upvall, PhD, RN, CNE, was elected to serve as Chair of the CCNE Nominating Committee for 2017. She previously served as a member of the committee, which is responsible for preparing, evaluating and accepting nominations from members interested in serving on the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor to lead the nominating committee, identifying qualified individuals who will continue to carry out the commission’s mission of advancing excellence and innovation in nursing education, research and practice,â€� said Michele Upvall, coordinator of the Nurse Educator MSN and certificate programs at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing.

Diane Andrews, PhD, RN, and Laura Gonzalez, PhD, ARNP, CNE, CHSE, have been selected to serve as on-site evaluators for the CCNE accreditation review process. The two join nearly 740 nurse educators and practicing nurses from across the country who currently serve in the role and assist in the accreditation process. At the College of Nursing, Susan Chase, EdD, RN, FNP-BC, FNAP, and Upvall have served as on-site evaluators since 2007 and 2008, respectively. Chase serves as an evaluation team leader and also is an appointed member of the Report Review Committee, which reviews continuous improvement progress reports from all accredited programs as well as other compliance reports for CCNE.

As nurse educators, Andrews and Gonzalez will lend their expertise in nursing education and program development to assist in evaluating program curricula, faculty roles and qualifications, internal governance, student services, and student and faculty outcomes during an accreditation review. Each will participate in at least one on-site evaluation per year where they will travel with a team to a college or university in the U.S.

“As we strive as a nation to prepare a growing number of highly educated nurses, it is critical for public health that colleges and universities meet nationally recognized standards in providing a quality education,� said Diane Andrews, coordinator of the Leadership & Management MSN and Nurse Executive DNP at the College of Nursing. “Serving as an on-site evaluator allows me to contribute to this valuable process and foster continuous improvement among nursing programs.�

“CCNE values and fosters innovation in the accreditation process and in its accredited programs. As a researcher focused on innovation, I am honored to be able to give back and lend a unique viewpoint to the process from my experiences in the simulation community,� said Laura Gonzalez, simulation coordinator at the College of Nursing, current board member and vice president of programs for the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, and former director of the Florida Healthcare Simulation Alliance.

CCNE is one of just two nursing program accrediting agencies nationally recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The commission began accreditation reviews in 1998 and currently accredits nearly 1,400 baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs across 705 colleges and universities in the U.S. The bachelor’s degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, post-master’s nurse practitioner certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing are accredited by CCNE.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has long supported veteran students and has been named a “Military Friendly Schoolâ€� by G.I. Jobs magazine since 2011. The university’s Veterans Academic Resource Center is specifically designed to help veterans achieve academic success by providing a one-stop solution to support their needs during the transition from military to student life.

The College of Nursing has a strategic relationship with the Veterans Affairs medical facilities for clinical rotations. For former U.S. Army flight medic John W. Rothwell, III, BSN, RN, this relationship was one of the primary factors for selecting Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.

“There are numerous reasons that Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ outshines other  nursing programs, including the high first-time pass rates for RN and ARNP board certification, and the clinical resource coordinator that arranges clinical residences in the community,â€� said Rothwell, a family nurse practitioner DNP student. “But the strategic relationship with the VA, to me, was critical. As a veteran, there are not only career benefits in performing clinical rotations at the VA, but there is a strong emotional and psychological bond when helping your fellow soldier, marine, seamen or airmen.â€�

For veterans or active duty military members seeking flexibility to take courses when it’s convenient, the College of Nursing offers numerous distance learning programs with online and hybrid options for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. “The best word to describe my experiences with the online nursing program is ‘simple,’� Rothwell continued. “Faculty also utilize innovative technologies to enhance learning, including digital clinical experiences such as avatars.�

Nurses with a BSN degree or non-nursing baccalaureate may apply for graduate programs, while those with an associate’s degree may apply for an RN to BSN or RN to MSN program. Scholarship opportunities are also available to veterans and active duty military.

“Our nation’s veterans have served our country, and we’re honored to help them continue to serve their communities by advancing their career in nursing,� said Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs. “Even veterans who are nurses but have bachelor’s degrees in other fields may apply to our graduate programs. These students would simply complete a three-course sequence before starting the graduate coursework toward their nursing degree.�

To be considered in the rankings, colleges had to participate in key programs that offer educational benefits to people with military service and be among the top 75 percent of schools in the U.S. News 2015 Best Online Programs rankings. Those rankings, in which the College of Nursing is ranked among the nation’s top 25 for graduate nursing programs, are determined based upon numerous factors, including affordability, faculty credentials, student services and reputation.

The 60-credit hour program combines the strengths of the nation’s second-largest university with the convenience and flexibility of an online format. Students will only have to travel to Orlando twice per academic year. The first classes will begin the summer of 2015 and applications are currently being accepted. The application deadline is Jan. 15.

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and the College of Nursing are dedicated to providing an array of educational opportunities to our students,â€� said Susan K. Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs in the College of Nursing. “By creating an online program, we’re able to attract and prepare more nurse researchers who are the future of health care. Graduates will be able to serve in senior leadership roles in the fields of academia, health care, military and more, and will make valuable contributions to advance nursing and solve some of our world’s ever-evolving health concerns.â€�

Donna Neff, program coordinator and interim director of research, said: “Our graduate students are typically employed full time in leadership positions and appreciate the flexibility of an online program, which allows them to balance their career while furthering their education. This new program expands our existing online offerings to seven and aids in the growing demand for nurse Ph.D.s.�

Online Ph.D. students will have access to the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, experience small class sizes of less than 20, and receive one-on-one academic support to help meet their educational goals. The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing currently has 14 faculty scholars actively engaged in cutting-edge research, including in the fields of simulation, health systems and health care self-management.

This high-quality educational opportunity is not only convenient but also affordable as Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has been named one of the nation’s “best valueâ€� universities by °­¾±±è±ô¾±²Ô²µ±ð°ù’s and The Princeton Review.

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing is accredited by the for its baccalaureate, master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs. The Ph.D. program aligns with published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

For more information about the online Nursing PhD program, visit nursing.ucf.edu.

Dr. Joan Shinkus Clark, senior vice president and system chief nurse executive for Texas Health Resources in Dallas – Fort Worth Texas, was the featured speaker. Clark joined the Texas Health Resources leadership team in 2008, and represents nursing at the senior executive level. She has responsibility for advancing alignment and strategic nursing initiatives.

She discussed the prevailing industry response catalyzed by the Affordable Care Act, the key national, regional and local initiatives and trends in health care reform, and the role of innovation in transforming the health care delivery model.

“Health care is always changing,� said Clark. “And it is so important for nurses and nurse leaders to keep up with that change. Our knowledge of health care reform must be current, and we must be able to adjust the way we deliver care to our patients and ensure better patient outcomes.�

The free lecture, sponsored by , was part of the college’s Leadership in Practice Lecture Series, during which a national leader is brought in to discuss cutting-edge topics in health care. Attendees included nurses from the greater central Florida community, as well as college faculty, students, and alumni. They earned one contact hour of continuing education.

Carl Patten, director of the Florida Blue Center for Health Policy, was present to welcome attendees and thanked Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing for initiating this important discussion.

“As we enter this new era of health care transformation, nurses and physicians will be in greater demand, especially in Florida,� Patten said. “Nurses will play a pivotal role in meeting this demand, as more and more people gain access to health insurance.�

In addition to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Nursing Leadership in Practice Lecture Series, Clark taught an intensive seminar the next day exclusively for college faculty and students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, which includes nurse executives, advanced practice nurses, and students studying to become nurse practitioners.

“Our Nursing Leadership in Practice Lecture series coupled with the intensive seminar helps keeps our D.N.P students abreast of key issues affecting health care,� said Dr. Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs at the College of Nursing.

“Our goal with bringing together the three D.N.P. tracks for these intensives is to bridge the gap between leadership and practice. We want our nurse executives to better understand practice concerns because they are the ones developing the care environments in which clinicians practice. Also, we want our clinicians to better understand leadership issues because they are redesigning systems of care in both primary care and acute care settings,� Chase explained.

The D.N.P. at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has two entry points and three tracks.

The post-baccalaureate B.S.N. to D.N.P. educates nurses at a higher level and prepares them for becoming licensed nurse practitioners. These students start the program with classes on campus two to four times per month while preparing for the board-certification exam, but eventually move to an online format that aligns with the post-master’s Advanced Practice D.N.P. track.

The two post-master’s tracks are taught primarily online. Students come to campus for scheduled intensive experiences, allowing them the flexibility of working while pursuing their doctorate.

The post-master’s Executive D.N.P. is for current nurse executives who hold an M.S.N. in nursing administration. The goal of the program is to prepare nurse executives for multiple dimensions of administrative responsibilities within varied health care environments.

The post-master’s Advanced Practice D.N.P. is a clinical doctorate for nurses who are already licensed in an advanced practice specialty, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, midwives and nurse anesthetists. The program prepares clinicians to redesign health care systems and improve quality of care through evidence-based practice.

Clark earned a diploma in nursing from Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., a B.S. in health care administration from St. Joseph’s College in Maine, an M.S.N. from the University of Florida, and a D.N.P. from Texas Christian University. She is a graduate of the Johnson and Johnson Wharton Fellowship and is an ANCC Magnet Appraiser.

To learn more about the D.N.P. program at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, visit .

For advising, contact Dr. Diane Andrews, coordinator of the Executive D.N.P. at diane.andrews@ucf.edu, or Dr. Julee Waldrop, coordinator of the Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. and Advanced Practice D.N.P. at julee.waldrop@ucf.edu.

“I am honored to serve the College of Nursing in this role,� Sole said. “Our college will continue to focus on the needs of our students and Central Florida community by offering superb undergraduate and graduate education and outstanding research opportunities.�

Founding Dean Jean D’Meza Leuner has stepped down from her administrative position to pursue new leadership challenges. Dr. Linda Hennig, founding associate dean for undergraduate affairs, announced last fall her plan to return to the classroom.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ will conduct a national search for a new dean.

“Dr. Leuner leaves behind a strong legacy – she transformed us from a school within a college to an independent college,� Sole said. “She focused on many strategic initiatives, including adding new programs and developing new partnerships, and was exceptional at fundraising. She brought in several million dollars to create additional endowed chairs and professorships, and also established more than 25 student scholarships during her tenure.�

“Dr. Hennig has been instrumental in many key Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ initiatives for more than 20 years, earning special accolades for developing and promoting online nursing education programs.â€�

Dr. Leuner said it’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the college’s founding dean.

“The past 10 years have seen remarkable growth and success for our college, and I am proud to have been part of that,� Leuner said. “While I look to the next challenge in my career, I wish Dr. Sole and our dedicated faculty and staff continued success.�

Dr. Hennig said teaching is her first love and she’s excited about the opportunity to pursue this passion once again.

“It’s been several years since I’ve been able to give myself fully to teaching, and I miss it,� Hennig said. “I’m just not ready to retire, and I plan to spend a few years as a professor before that time comes.�

During the next few weeks, Drs. Sole and Covelli will work closely with outgoing leaders to ensure a smooth transition.

Dr. Sole has received numerous honors, including being named as a Pegasus Professor, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s highest faculty honor. She also holds the Orlando Health Distinguished Professorship in the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing. As a researcher, she is widely published and has succeeded in obtaining external support for her research endeavors. She has been nationally recognized for her research with awards from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Dr. Covelli has been a nursing faculty member at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ since 1989. She is respected for her leadership as chair of the Faculty Association and as an associate professor with primary teaching responsibilities in the baccalaureate program. She has published research on hypertension, and has developed cardiovascular health promotion intervention programs to decrease hypertension risk in adolescents.

The event featured local celebrities and faculty members paired with professional dancers for a ballroom dance challenge. Funds were raised through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and the “Vote with Your Dollars� program, in which event attendees used money to vote for their favorite dance team.

Femmes de Coeur, or Women of Heart, is a nonprofit fundraising organization whose goal is to raise funds by partnering with existing organizations to help research and treat disease. The annual fundraiser was introduced six years ago by Femmes de Coeur President Judy Conrad.

“I decided to start the ‘Let Us Entertain You’ dance challenge fundraiser because it was a perfect way to integrate my desire to help the nursing community with my interest in ballroom dancing,� said Conrad. “I’m really glad it’s been so successful.�

Participants this year included talk show host Jada Collins, salon owner Dale Dees, chiropractic physician Dr. Richard Bocco, to name a few. One faculty member from each nursing program also participated in the dance challenge, including Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Dr. Susan Chase, who is the associate dean of graduate affairs in the College of Nursing.

Although she and her partner, dance professional Tony Sterling, did not win the dance challenge, Chase feels it was worth her time and effort.

“It was a fun way to raise money for a very worthy cause,� said Chase. “I didn’t do it to win. I did it to support our students.�

Other participating nursing programs included those at Valencia College, Seminole State College, and Adventist University of Health Sciences.

The proceeds from the event will be divided among the four nursing programs and disbursed in the fall. At Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, the funds support the Femmes de Coeur Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

Stephens received five letters of support for the award, including letters from the dean, associate dean for graduate affairs, and three faculty members.

Jean D’Meza Leuner, dean of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing, wrote, “Mr. Stephens brings a level of commitment and dedication to his work that is unprecedented; he is most deserving of this honor and recognition.â€�

Christopher Blackwell, an associate professor, believes Stephens’ greatest strength lies in his incredible rapport with students. “He is always friendly, respectful, and responsive to students’ needs. Students consistently give him high accolades for his outstanding approach to advising; and students identify Mr. Stephens as an advocate and even a role model.�

With more than ten years’ experience working in an advising capacity, Stephens was promoted last year from coordinator to associate director of graduate student services. In his current position, he directs every aspect of the graduate admissions and advisement process for all master’s and doctoral programs, including recruitment, admissions, progression and graduation; oversees daily operations of the college’s graduate office, including supervision of two support personnel; and remains the first and main point of contact for all graduate students in the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing.

Stephens says his advisement philosophy centers on creating an environment where students take responsibility for their academic careers. He achieves this by establishing a mutual relationship built on trust through open communication and teamwork.

“These attributes enable me to be an effective administrator and gives our students confidence in navigating through our graduate programs.�

Susan Chase, associate dean for graduate affairs, agrees. “Mr. Stephens is able to blend encouraging support, clear communication and maintenance of high standards in all his communication with applicants. He is the model graduate adviser; and his creative efforts as well as his tireless work with applicants and students merit his receiving of this award.�

Founded in 1979, the National Academic Advising Association promotes the quality of academic advising in institutions of higher education. NACADA is dedicated to the support and professional growth of academic advisors, administrators, and the advising profession. Through its publications and conferences, NACADA provides a forum for discussion, debate and the exchange of ideas regarding the role of advising in higher education.

Sharon McLane, chief nursing informatics officer and director of clinical transformation at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, shared her knowledge and expertise on the subject, and discussed the impact of electronic records on nursing workflow and how to manage all the information available. McLane earned her Ph.D. in Healthcare Informatics at the University of Texas, Houston, and previously was director of nursing informatics at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The free lecture – Beyond Implementation: Informaticians & Meaningful Use – was open to the public and attended by healthcare administrators, clinical nurse leaders, community partners, prospective and current students, and nursing faculty. One attendee even traveled two hours from Tampa to attend the event. Nurses had the opportunity to earn one contact hour of continuing education credit.

McLane said, “We are just beginning to become aware of the possibilities in using information to improve quality in healthcare,� adding that managing the increasing amount of information will be needed even more in the future.

The Aug. 23 event supported by Florida Blue, formerly Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, was part of the college’s semiannual Distinguished Lecture Series where a national leader is invited to discuss current nursing leadership topics. The series spans two days, including the evening community lecture, followed by a day-long intensive seminar with the visiting professor and faculty and students in the Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Launched this past January, the Executive D.N.P. is an online program, but the college brings faculty and students together at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters to discuss thought-provoking leadership topics with a national nursing leader.

The next Distinguished Lecture for the community will be held Jan. 10 to kick off the spring semester, and to welcome the second cohort of Executive D.N.P. students.

To learn more about the Executive D.N.P. program, visit nursing.ucf.edu or contact Dr. Diane Andrews at diane.andrews@ucf.edu.

“For busy nurse leaders, the program promotes out-of-the-box thinking to shake up what they are already doing, to support them in becoming change leaders,” said Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs and Professor Susan Chase. “They’re not just responding to new policies, but informing the policy and putting into practice the evidence that is there.”

The federal Institute of Medicine and other groups are calling for more advanced educational programs as the nation’s healthcare environment grows ever more complex and demands of nurses a higher scientific knowledge and practice expertise. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and its member schools also support the growth of practice-based doctoral degrees to address national concerns about quality of care and patient safety. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½’s program will prepare nurses to use the latest technologies, trends and research to address changing regulations and anticipated nursing shortages over the next decade.

Designed for working professionals, the part-time, flexible degree consists of online courses and an intensive three-day seminar at the start of each semester. The seminar brings together theory and practice to round out the comprehensive program.

Curriculum focuses on areas such as decision making, leadership and organizational analysis. In addition to opportunities for online collaboration with peers, the seminar will allow students to meet their professors and develop deeper relationships with faculty members and their colleagues. Nationally recognized leaders in healthcare will share their best practices during the seminars and in presentations open to interested nurses in the Orlando area.

The first group of students, who will stay together for the required nine semesters, starts coursework in January.

As nurse leaders and administrators plan for policy changes, the Executive D.N.P. will provide them with analytic skills they can use to actively impact the environments in which they work, be it acute care, clinics, community health programs, Magnet preparation, strategic planning or overall interdisciplinary leadership. Through study and testing of evidence-based practice strategies, students will learn how to evaluate and apply existing research to improve practice innovations and outcomes.

“It’s a new opportunity to prepare nurse executives from different backgrounds to change practice in ways which reflect their professional and personal interests,” said Diane Andrews, assistant professor and program coordinator.

Led by Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½’s outstanding practicing faculty who have been on the front lines of change, students will put what they learn to work. The degree culminates with a project that is completed during residency, which allows nurse executives to examine how to improve patient care and safety.

“We want them to think about the whole system of care, such as how to guarantee quality for outcomes, while letting people on their teams be creative,” Associate Dean Chase said.

Nurse executives who hold a M.S.N. in Nursing Leadership and Management are encouraged to apply. However, interested, registered nurse leaders with a non-nursing master’s degree also may apply.

An online application with all supporting application materials is due Oct. 1. Eligibility will be considered with a portfolio review to determine course equivalency and verification of completed practice/laboratory hours.

For candidates without a M.S.N., individual plans of study will be developed to include missing elements of the M.S.N. curriculum. Interested applicants may review additional program information and apply online at www.nursing.ucf.edu/academics/Executive_MSN-DNP.asp.

Susan K. Chase has been appointed associate dean for graduate affairs at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½’s College of Nursing.

Chase will assume her new role Jan. 1, replacing Jean Kijek, who was the college’s first associate dean for graduate affairs. Kijek will return to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ nursing faculty to devote her efforts to teaching.

Chase, whose academic nursing career spans more than 30 years, came to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in August 2009 as a professor in the College of Nursing’s graduate program. Previously, she was a professor and assistant dean for graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton, Fla.

“Dr. Susan Chase’s extensive experience in nursing education, administration, research, practice and community service makes her an excellent role model and leader in nursing,” said Jean Leuner, dean of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Nursing.

Chase earned a Doctor of Education at Harvard University, and a Master of Arts degree in Nursing with a concentration in biophysical pathology at New York University. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Columbia University. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and as an advanced registered nurse practitioner.

Chase’s area of research expertise includes decision-making by nurses, nurse practitioners, patients and families. She has also developed models for faith-based community nursing. Her research findings have been published in more than 25 peer-reviewed journals and 19 books. She is the author of the nursing textbook, “Clinical Judgment and Communication in Nurse Practitioner Practice,” published by F.A. Davis in 2004.

Her many honors include Boston College’s Faculty Distinguished Service Award and the Yvonne Munn Nursing Research Award from Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Nursing. She was also named a Distinguished Practitioner of National Academies of Practice, and was selected as an Academic Leadership Fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Chase has also been recognized in the Who’s Who in American Nursing as well as Who’s Who in American Education, and was nominated as the distinguished teacher of the year in 2006 at Florida Atlantic University.