We are going to spend the next few weeks spotlighting the recipients of the Spring 2015 faculty Research grants. Get to know these distinguished faculty members below!

Dr. Nancy Ahern

Names: Dr. Nancy Ahern, Dr. R. Susan Crawford, & Dr. C. Elise Thompson

University: University of North Carolina Wilmington

Title of Proposal: Enhancing student interaction using social media and simulation in an online RN-BSN program

Dr. Nancy Ahern is currently an Associate Professor and RN BS Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has taught across programs at the School of Nursing but more recently teaching Health Policy in this program. In additional to adolescent health research, Dr. Ahern has focused on applied learning initiatives both in the classroom and in the online community. Her major teaching goal is to use technology and innovative strategies to engage all students she teaches. Dr. Ahern received her BSN and MSN from the University of Delaware and her PhD in nursing from the University of Central Florida.

Dr. R. Susan Crawford

Dr. R. Susan Crawford is a Registered Nurse and Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dr. Crawford teaches in the online, RN-BSN program and has over 8 years of experience teaching in both the traditional pre-licensure and online RN-BSN programs. Dr. Crawford has been a cardiovascular nurse for 26 years. Her research interests include Best Practices for Facilitating Education in Online Nursing Programs; Lifestyle Modification for Primary and Secondary Heart Disease Prevention; and Improving Health Outcomes in Patients Living with Implantable Cardiac Devices. Dr. Crawford received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Arizona College of Nursing in Tucson, AZ; her MSN at Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, NC; her RN-BSN from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL; and her ADN at Sampson Community College in Clinton, NC.

Dr. C. Elise Thompson

Dr. Charlotte Elise Thompson is a lecturer in nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and she currently teaches in the pre-licensure program and the online RN to BS program. Dr. Thompson has a background in emergency nursing with experience as a triage nurse, preceptor, charge nurse, and assistant manager. She has a master’s in nursing education from UHM and has taught nursing in the university setting since 2007. She received her PhD from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) with a research focus in simulation and nursing education. Dr. Thompson is interested in the comparison of various educational techniques incorporating simulation to evaluate student outcomes and performance in the field of nursing. She is also interested in technology, the use of social media, and virtual simulation in online nursing education.

Dr. Charity Bryan

Name: Dr. Charity Bryan

University: Louisiana State University

Title of Proposal: Barriers to online program implementation in higher education

Bio:

Dr. Charity Bryan serves as the Associate Dean for Distance Learning and Professional Education. In this role, she is responsible for providing college-wide leadership in the development and implementation of the college’s entire portfolio of academic programs offered via all distance learning modalities as well as the college’s extensive offerings of professional education and life-long learning opportunities. Prior to her appointment in CHSE, she had seven years of prior service at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While at UL Lafayette, she served assistant professor, department head and finally as associate professor director of the school of Kinesiology. Most recently, she served as the inaugural director of LSU Online. In this role, she was responsible for: (1) providing vision and leadership to LSU Online in the development, implementation and operation of expanded online offerings, (2) ensuring compliance with SACSCOC, Federal and Board of Regents standards for online instruction, and (3) leading a team of instructional designers as courses are developed and refreshed. She also worked as an instructor and departmental wellness coordinator in the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at Samford University.