UA Nursing Professor Selected to International Leadership Academy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. JoAnn Oliver, an associate professor in The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing, was selected to participate in the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Experienced Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy.

Administered by STTI and the Chamberlain College of Nursing Center for Excellence in Nursing Education, the 12-month highly selective mentored leadership academy is designed to further academic career development and success; promote personal and professional leadership development; develop and begin to implement a personal leadership progression plan; expand the influence of the Leadership Scholar within his or her sponsoring academic institution, the community and the profession in the context of teaching, scholarship or service; advance nursing education through leadership development projects implemented by Leadership Scholars during the program; and promote experienced nurse faculty retention in academe.

“I am honored to have been selected for this amazing national leadership training academy,” Oliver said. “This is also an opportunity for me to represent The University of Alabama and the Capstone College of Nursing among an inaugural cohort of colleagues from across the nation.”

The Experienced Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy pairs experienced full-time faculty leaders, called scholars, with mentors, who are then supported by academy faculty members. The academy curriculum includes a variety of educational strategies for developing leadership knowledge, competence and outcomes.

“As a nurse educator and president-elect of our local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, I am looking forward to gaining both theoretical and experiential knowledge from this opportunity,” she said. “This will augment my ability to lead in efforts to accomplish the nursing honor society’s mission of excelling in scholarship, leadership and service.

“Additionally, as a fellow in this academy, I have a mentor and assigned faculty member, who are both nationally recognized leaders, to guide and collaborate with as a team. This is a unique and invaluable experience. Completing this academy will position me to empower others, a true attribute of a leader.”

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. Founded in 1922, STTI has more than 135,000 active members in more than 85 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others.