Martha Scheckel PhD, RN, CNE

Dr. Martha Scheckel is Vice Dean and Associate Professor at the Conway School of Nursing at The Catholic University of America, where she also serves as Director of the Center for Future Faculty. In her role, she functions as the delegated chief academic officer and leads faculty affairs, collaborating with the Dean to advance the school’s mission, vision, and strategic initiatives. She provides innovative leadership in faculty development, recruitment, and retention, fostering a diverse and highly skilled academic community. 

Dr. Scheckel is the founder and director of the Center for Future Faculty, a collaborative initiative with Howard, George Washington, and Trinity Washington Universities designed to prepare emerging faculty to educate students in creating inclusive and equitable healthcare systems. She has extensive experience building academic programs from the ground up, including the founding of the Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas, where she led accreditation, curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and community partnerships to promote health equity and social justice.

Her career spans leadership roles in nursing education and administration, including serving as Dean of Viterbo University’s College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior; Chair of the Department of Nursing at Winona State University; and Director of Undergraduate Programs at Michigan State University. She has a strong record of implementing innovative curricula, enhancing student and faculty development, and leading federally funded projects to improve nursing education and rural health outcomes.

Dr. Scheckel holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MSN from Clarke University, and a BSN from Graceland University. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and has served in numerous leadership roles, nationally and internationally, including on the National League for Nursing Board of Governors and on a task force to revise the Essentials for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Her research focuses on patient education, curriculum design, rural health, and holistic nursing education. Dr. Scheckel has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and educational modules, and she is a sought-after speaker and consultant on nursing education and faculty development.