School of Nursing

Administration

Shanna W. Akers, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N./M.B.A.-H.C., Ed.D. CNE
Dean, School of Nursing
Administrative Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Associate Professor of Nursing

Sharon J. Kopis, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., Ed.D., CNE, FNP-C
Chair, DNP Programs
Professor of Nursing

Diane C. Bridge, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., Ed.D.
Chair, Online Programs
Associate Professor of Nursing

Kathryn Miller, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., DNP, CNE, CHSE
Executive Director, Clinical Affairs
Associate Professor of Nursing

Program Directors

A listing of program directors can be viewed at http://www.liberty.edu/administration/institutionaleffectiveness/index.cfm?PID=37389.

Purpose

In accordance to the missions of the University and the School of Nursing, the purpose of the Nursing Graduate Programs is to prepare nursing leaders, nurse educators, and advanced practice nurses to transform the nursing profession through character development, leadership, and scholarship. Grounded in Biblical values, the Nursing Graduate Programs focus on the care of the whole person; body, mind, and spirit.

A

Akers, Shanna; B.S., M.S.N., M.S.N., Ed.D., Ed.S.
Title: Dean, School of Nursing
B.S. - Virginia Commonwealth University, M.S.N. - University of Phoenix, M.S.N. - University of Phoenix, Ed.D. - Liberty University, Ed.S. - Liberty University

B

Baker, Martha; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Missouri State University, M.S.N. - University of Missouri-Columbia, Ph.D. - University of Missouri-Columbia

Barbee, Kristen; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Gardner-Webb University, M.S.N. - East Carolina University, Ph.D. - University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Brickhill, Cherie; B.A., BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D.
Title: Assistant Professor
B.A. - University of Virginia, BSN - University of Virginia, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, Ed.D. - Liberty University

Bridge, Diane; B.S., M.S.N., Ed.D., Ed.S.
Title: Online Dean, School of Nursing
B.S. - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, M.S.N. - University of Phoenix, Ed.D. - Liberty University, Ed.S. - Liberty University

Brooks, Christine; BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D., Ed.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Georgia Southern University, M.S.N. - Kennesaw State University, Ed.D. - Nova Southeastern University, Ed.D. - Nova Southeastern University

C

Crawford, Ann; BSN, M.S., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, M.S. - University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, Ph.D. - Texas A&M University

D

Diggins, Kris; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Duquesne University, M.S.N. - Duquesne University, DNP - University of South Alabama

G

Gates, Karen; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Assistant Professor
BSN - University of Akron, M.S.N. - University of Akron, DNP - Texas Christian University

Giese, Karla; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Assistant Professor
BSN - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, M.S.N. - Old Dominion University, DNP - University of Colorado Denver

Goodrich, Cynthia; B.S., M.S., Ed.D.
Title: Professor of Nursing
B.S. - Russell Sage College, M.S. - University of Virginia, Ed.D. - Argosy University-Sarasota

Gradel, Dale; BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - SUNY Stony Brook University, M.S.N. - SUNY Stony Brook University, Ed.D. - Walden University

H

Harrell, Colleen; B.S., D.Pharm.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
B.S. - University of Toledo, D.Pharm. - University of Toledo

Humphreys, Heather; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Associate Professor
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, DNP - Eastern Kentucky University

J

Jessee, Brenda; BSN, M.S.N., M.S.N., DNP
Title: Assistant Professor
BSN - East Tennessee State University, M.S.N. - East Tennessee State University, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, DNP - Old Dominion University

Joseph, Rachel; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor Nursing
BSN - University of Kerala, M.S.N. - Wilmington University, Ph.D. - Duquesne University

K

Kay, Catherine; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - George Mason University, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, Ph.D. - Touro University International

Kennedy, Tonia; BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D.
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, Ed.D. - Argosy University-Phoenix

Kidd, Tiffany; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, DNP - James Madison University

Kopis, Sharon; B.S., M.S.N., Ed.D.
Title: Chair, Doctoral Programs; Professor of Nursing
B.S. - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Virginia Commonwealth University, Ed.D. - Argosy University-Sarasota

Krantz, Randy; A.A.S., B.A., M.A.R., J.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
A.A.S. - Virginia Western Community College, B.A. - University of Lynchburg, M.A.R. - Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, J.D. - University of Richmond

L

Lane-Tillerson, Crystal; BSN, M.A.T., M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Howard University, M.A.T. - Howard University, M.S.N. - Hampton University, Ph.D. - Hampton University

Linsky, Rose; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - University of Alabama in Huntsville, M.S.N. - University of Alabama in Huntsville, DNP - University of Alabama in Huntsville

Littlefield, Nancy; BSN, M.S., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - George Mason University, M.S. - Virginia Commonwealth University, DNP - Old Dominion University

M

Maddox, Debra; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN - University of Lynchburg, M.S.N. - Liberty University, DNP - Radford University

Moore, Vickie; B.S., M.S.N., D.N.
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S. - University of Lynchburg, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, D.N. - Radford University

Murphy, Dorothy; A.A.S., BSN, M.S., DNP
Title: Professor of Nursing
A.A.S. - University of Rio Grande, BSN - University of Rio Grande, M.S. - Wright State University in Dayton, DNP - West Virginia University

O

Odedina, Folashade; B.A., B.S., BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Associate Professor
B.A. - University at Buffalo SUNY, B.S. - University at Buffalo SUNY, BSN - Dyouville College, M.S.N. - Dyouville College, DNP - University of Virginia

P

Perryman, Pat; BSN, M.R.E., M.S.N., DNP, Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Texas Tech University, M.R.E. - Christian Bible College and Seminary, M.S.N. - Lubbock Christian College, DNP - Liberty University, Ph.D. - Christian Bible College and Seminary

Powers, Patricia; B.S., D
Title: Adjunct Faculty
B.S. - Ohio State University, D - Ohio State University

R

Rasberry, Tamra; BSN, M.S., Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN - Liberty University, M.S. - University of Virginia, Ph.D. - Liberty University

Rothwell, Ronni; B.S., M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
B.S. - University of Lynchburg, M.S.N. - Walden University, DNP - Liberty University

S

Sanders, Lynne; BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D.
Title: Professor
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, Ed.D. - Argosy University-Sarasota

Sherwood, Stephanie; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - West Virginia University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, DNP - Liberty University

Simpson, Deidra; B.S., D.Pharm.
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S. - University of Kentucky, D.Pharm. - University of Kentucky

Smith, Lisa; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - University of Lynchburg, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, DNP - Radford University

T

Thompson, Kenneth; D.Pharm.
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
D.Pharm. - University of Nebraska Medical Center

Turner, Tracey; BSN, M.S.N., Ed.D., Ed.S.
Title: Associate Professor
BSN - University of Virginia, M.S.N. - University of Virginia, Ed.D. - Liberty University, Ed.S. - Liberty University

W

Walker, Sherri; BSN, M.S.N.
BSN - Wright State University in Dayton, M.S.N. - Vanderbilt University

Washburn, Donna; BSN, M.S.N., DNP
Title: Instructor
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, DNP - Liberty University

Whorley, Elizabeth; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor
BSN - Liberty University, M.S.N. - Liberty University, Ph.D. - Nova Southeastern University

Wines, Maria; BSN, M.S.N., Ph.D.
Title: Adjunct Faculty
BSN - Dominican University of California, M.S.N. - Case Western Reserve University, Ph.D. - Loyola University

Woody, Dana; B.S., M.S.N., DNP
Title: Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S. - University of Lynchburg, M.S.N. - University of Lynchburg, DNP - Liberty University