Stephens Tapped to Lead ASN Program at Mississippi University for Women

[PRESS RELEASE]

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Mississippi University for Women has named a faculty member and alumna as chair of the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

Dr. Maria Stephens, of Steens, began her role as chair of the department July 1.

“I want to work closely with both our students and faculty to ensure the continued success and excellence of The W’s associate nursing program as we prepare students to provide care to patients in the community with acute and chronic health care needs.” said Stephens.

As chair of the program, Stephens’ goal is to provide a quality nursing education that prepares the students to be successful on the national licensing exam for entry level into professional nursing practice.

Stephens first started at The W in 2001, where she served as the skills lab director and would go on to become an instructor and assistant professor of nursing. Outside of her duties as a faculty member, she is serving as the chair of the Department of Nursing’s Curriculum Committee, council coordinator for the Resources/Facilities and Services Council and has served as faculty advisor for the Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Student Association.  She has served on The W’s Faculty Senate and the Academic Standards Board.

“Dr. Stephens brings many years of nursing experience as an educator to the ASN department chair position. She has been a valuable faculty member since 2005 and has an excellent knowledge of the ASN program. I look forward to working with her in this new role,” said Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of The W’s College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology.

Stephens holds a doctorate of nursing practice with academic nurse educator concentration from Samford University, where she presented and researched parental perceptions regarding childhood obesity and Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis and Tele-health: Healthcare without walls to name a few. Stephens also holds a master of science in nursing and bachelors of science in nursing from The W.

In addition to serving as a faculty member at The W, Stephens has worked in the local community as a registered nurse for Baptist Memorial Hospital and as a family nurse practitioner for North Mississippi Medical Center.

Stephens acknowledges that she will be filling a big role. Previously, Mary Jo Kirkpatrick served as the chair for 23 years and led the program through successful accreditation processes, three major curriculum revisions and was the first associate degree program in Mississippi to achieve national accreditation status.

Professionally, Stephens is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Zeta Rho Chapter and is currently serving as Chairman of the Governance and Finance Committees as well as serving as treasurer for the local chapter.  She is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Mississippi Nurses Association and the National League for Nurses.