NLN Board of Governors
BOG Engagement Expectations
NLN Chair
Patricia A. Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN
Dean and Strawbridge Professor, Ursuline College, The Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Patricia Sharpnack currently holds leadership and board positions on several regulatory bodies, healthcare agencies, and professional organizations at regional, national, and international levels. She was the three-term past-president of the Ohio Board of Nursing, Board Supervisory Member and Chair of the Nursing Education Advisory Board. Dr. Sharpnack is the recipient of the 2012 Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Nursing Education Advancement of the Science Award, the 2015 NEONI Legacy Award in Education, the 2018 International Quality and Safety in Education of Nurses Leadership Award, the 2019 MNRS Academic-Practice Partnership Award, the 2020 NCSBN Elaine Ellibee Award for outstanding leadership as a Board President, the 2020 Ursuline College Amadeus Rappe Alumni Award, the 2021 Elaine H. Martyn Writing Award from the Ohio Nurses Association, and the 2021 NLN Mary Adelaide Nutting Excellence in Nursing Education Leadership Award. Dr. Sharpnack is a TeamSTEPPS Master Team Trainer and member of the Advisory Board to the American Hospital Association.
NLN Chair-elect
Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF
Chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and Patient Placement Coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital
Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, chair of the Department of Nursing at North Carolina Central University and a patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital, has 25 years of nursing experience, including two decades as a nurse educator. The author of numerous presentations, publications and grants, Dr. VanRiel has focused her scholarship on nursing education, provider-patient communications, health disparities and oncology. Her achievements have been recognized with professional accolades, among them the Richmond Community College Outstanding Alumni Award, NCNA Nurse Educator of the Year Award, Gamma Zeta Chapter STTI Excellence in Nursing Education Award, and the UNC-Greensboro School of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award. A fellow in the NLN Academy of Nursing Education, Dr. VanRiel is a certified nurse educator (CNE), with additional certifications in oncology and medical-surgical nursing. Along with the National League for Nursing and the North Carolina League for Nursing, Dr. VanRiel holds memberships in the American Nurses Association; Oncology Nursing Society; and the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. She has served as vice chair of the North Carolina Board of Nursing in 2019.
Secretary
Tedra Smith, DNP, CPNP-PC, CNE, CHSE
Associate Professor & Assistant Dean for Graduate Clinical Education – MSN, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Dr. Tedra Smith is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Graduate Clinical Education-MSN at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing. She is the recipient of the 2021 National Black Nurses Association Nurse Educator of the Year Award and the 2022 Cindajo Overton Outstanding Nurse Educator Award. Her primary scholarly interest focus on simulation in nursing education and community-based health care for children. She has received funding to support these endeavors from HRSA, school, and foundation grants. Dr. Smith has held various leadership positions and is a member of the editorial board for the Pediatric Nursing Journal.
Treasurer
Mark C. Hand, PhD, RN, CNE
Clinical Professor, East Carolina University – College of Nursing
Dr. Mark Hand is a Clinical Professor at East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, NC. He is the recipient of the 2023 North Carolina Nurses Association Education Nurse of the Year. He has been the recipient of several honors and distinction including Excellence in Research, Excellence in Education, and Excellence in Leadership from the SIGMA chapter of Beta NU. Dr. Hand is a published author and active speaker. He often collaborates with nursing students, ensuring they get the chance to experience those valuable types of professional development opportunities. He is the faculty mentor for the American Association of Men in Nursing Chapter at ECU. He recently received the AAMN 2023 Gene Tranbarger Research Award for his manuscript “Men as Nursing Faculty: Factors of Recruitment and Retention”. His research interest includes LGBTQ+ health education, men as nursing faculty, and nursing student success. He is a certified nurse educator and editorial board member for the Nursing Education Perspectives of the NLN. He is the Past President of the North Carolina League for Nursing.
Governor
Audrey Beauvais, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN
Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Fairfield University – Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
Dr. Audrey Beauvais completed her BSN degree from Fairfield University, MSN/MBA degrees from Sacred Heart University, and DNP degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Beauvais is an Editorial Board Member for the journal Nursing Education Perspectives (NEP). She was a guest editor for NEP in the fall of 2017 and 2020 for special issues on the Future of Nursing Report. Dr. Beauvais is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters. She recently published the book Leadership and Management Competencies in Nursing Practice: Competencies, Skills, Decision Making (2019) that was awarded first place for the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year award in the Nurse Management and Leadership category. She has been the recipient of several honors and distinctions including the Connecticut Nurses Association Diamond Jubilee Josephine A. Dolan Award for Outstanding Contribution to Nursing Education, the Connecticut League for Nursing Ruth M. Olson Excellence in Nurse Education Award, and Sacred Heart University’s Dean’s Leadership Award. Prior to her time in academia, Dr. Beauvais worked in various leadership positions at Stamford Hospital including nurse manager of the pediatric and psychiatric units, case manager, and performance improvement coordinator. Dr. Beauvais was the Magnet Coordinator that successfully led Stamford Hospital to be recognized as a Magnet hospital. The Magnet Recognition ProgramTM is a prestigious designation administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing practice.
Governor
Majeda El-Banna, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
Vice Dean, The George Washington University School of Nursing
Dr. El-Banna's leadership and research to advance nursing education and enhance student outcomes are focused on development, improvement and implementation of innovative teaching pedagogies through evidence-based research. Her sustained contribution is shifting the classroom environment from teacher-driven to student-centered learning by using pedagogical models that require higher order reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Her unique scholarly contribution to nursing education is well recognized, nationally and internationally. Dr. El-Banna is an American Nurse Educator Fellow (ANEF) and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). She is a Subject Matter Expert Reviewer for the Quality Matters program. Dr. El-Banna has received the GW Bender Teaching Award and the GW School of Nursing Graduate Teaching Award. Her education research has been funded by the school, university, and foundation. Dr. El-Banna serves on a number of professional organization committees, including the National League of Nursing, American Nurses Association, Eastern Nursing Research Society, and Washington Regional Nursing Research Consortium.
Governor
Anne M. Fink, PhD, RN, CNE
Associate Dean for College and Student Services, Director, LEAD Professional Development Program, Villanova University – M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Dr. Anne M. Fink is the Associate Dean for College and Student Services at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. She is also the Director of the college’s LEAD Professional Development Program, recipient of the 2022 American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award in the Private Colleges and Universities category. Dr. Fink is a Certified Nurse Educator who has practiced in a variety of clinical settings and has over 30 years of experience in nursing education. She has taught students from the pre-licensure level through doctoral study using traditional, simulation and distance education strategies. Her research agenda focuses on elimination of health disparities in maternal-child health. Dr. Fink is a reviewer for The Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, the Journal of Professional Nursing, Nursing Outlook and Nursing Education Today. Dr. Fink is the recipient of the Alpha Nu Chapter STTI Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award. She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Action Coalition’s Nurse Diversity Council. Dr. Fink is also a past member of the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator Commission and is the current chairperson for the Pennsylvania League for Nursing Area I state constituency.
Governor
Rachel Risner, PhD, DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Frontier Nursing University
Rachel Risner is a certified family nurse practitioner, a certified nurse educator (CNE), a Gallup certified Strengths Coach, and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Frontier Nursing University. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (RN) from Oklahoma City Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma City University, a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Frontier Nursing University, a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Oklahoma City University, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Education from Oklahoma City University
Public Members
Governor
Walter G. Bumphus, PhD
President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
Dr. Walter G. Bumphus previously served as a professor in the Community College Leadership Program and as chair of the Department of Educational Administration at The University of Texas at Austin, holding the A. M. Aikin Regents Endowed Chair in Junior and Community College Education Leadership. From 2001 to 2007, Dr. Bumphus served as president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). Prior to 2001, he was chancellor of Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC). Before joining BRCC, Dr. Bumphus worked in the corporate world, serving as president of the Higher Education Division of Voyager Expanded Learning. Six years earlier, he served as president of Brookhaven College in the Dallas County Community College District. In 1992, Dr. Bumphus was recognized as a distinguished graduate from both Murray State University and The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Bumphus holds the distinction of being one of the few leaders in the field of education to receive the ACCT Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year Award, to chair the AACC Board of Directors, and to receive the John Roueche and Terry O’Banion International Leadership and the AACC Leadership Awards. He also has the distinction of having worked collaboratively with three presidential administrations. He was appointed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Academic Advisory Council, the 100,000 Strong Initiative, and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans under President Obama. He was selected the serve on the 25-member American Workforce Policy Advisory Board appointed by President Trump. And Bumphus was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships under the Biden Administration.
Governor
Elizabeth "Suzy" Cain
Chief Financial Officer, KFF (The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)
Elizabeth “Suzy” Cain is the chief financial officer of KFF. Cain serves as the primary business officer for KFF, overseeing accounting, financial and tax reporting, financial analysis and forecasting. Prior to joining KFF, she served as chief financial officer of the San Francisco Chronicle and the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund, as financial adviser for Greenspun Media Group, and as an audit manager for Deloitte & Touche. Cain received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in management from the Stanford University School of Business, and is a California-licensed CPA.
Governor
Cheryl Hoying, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FACHE, FAAN Interim CEO/CNO
Cheryl Hoying, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FACHE, FAAN, brings more than 30 years of nursing leadership experience to the Board, including many at the vice president/chief nurse executive/officer level in large academic medical centers and community hospitals. She recently served as chief nurse executive and patient services officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and before that as senior vice president for patient Services at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center. Her portfolio has encompassed acute care, ambulatory, extended care, and health care operations, as well as health care practices related to quality, safety and high reliability. In academia, Dr. Hoying has been an interim dean and associate dean for the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing; assistant dean of clinical affairs for The Ohio State University College of Nursing; adjunct faculty at the Wright State University/Miami Valley School of Nursing and the Mount St. Joseph University College of Nursing; and served on multiple nursing school advisory boards. Professionally active in a number of health care organizations, Dr. Hoying is a past president of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and has been a valued member of the League; the American Academy of Nursing; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society; and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Governor
Mark A. Vogt
CEO of Galen College of Nursing
Mark Vogt has served as CEO of Galen College of Nursing since 2004, leading one of the largest nursing colleges in the country with campuses and programs in Louisville, KY; Hazard, KY; Cincinnati, OH; San Antonio, TX; Tampa, FL; and Online, through a mission dedicated to expanding access to nursing education. He has guided significant expansion of nursing programs and remains committed to quality outcomes while providing a supportive and inspiring environment for all students as they learn and prepare to become confident, caring nurses. Mr. Vogt is a graduate of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.
NLN President and CEO
Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN
President and CEO, National League for Nursing