Tonya Willingham (MA, MSN, RN, CNE) has been appointed assistant director for the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing.
“We are delighted that Tonya has moved to the administrative suite in Smith Hall and look forward to her continued contributions to our program,” Nancy Duffy, director of the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, said.
Duffy notes that Willingham was selected because of her commitment to teaching, scholarship and service, demonstrating innovation in the classroom and within curriculum development. She has an excellent reputation for early adoption of technology to enhance learning, and her knowledge of the NCLEX-RN blueprint and effective testing strategies is a bonus for the students.
Willingham is collaborating with two external nursing faculty to examine trending data on repeating students in NC nursing programs. She has also presented on active learning strategies to engage students in the classroom for a statewide conference and at the Campbell Technology Fair, and is a contributor to an F.A. Davis textbook in press.
Willingham brings the ability to think about the big picture and a drive to seek innovative solutions to her new position.
“As we think about how to improve our current curriculum to stay current with the needs of healthcare as well as seeking opportunities to allow nurses to further their own education, I hope to bring creativity to how we here at CWWSON approach educating nurses for the future,” she said.
Willingham joined Campbell as a full-time nursing instructor and course director in January 2016. She was eager to help build a nursing program “from scratch” and to develop baccalaureate prepared nurses for the rural area. Commenting on the charter class, she said, “It was so exciting to see our first cohort go out into the nursing workforce, confident they would make an impact.”
Willingham earned her BSN from UNC Charlotte, an MA in Counseling Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an MSN (Nursing Education) from Queens University of Charlotte. She is currently working on her EdD in Nursing Education from the University of West Georgia.
Before coming to Campbell, she was an instructor at Watts School of Nursing from 1999-2015, and she has more than 18 years of hands-on nursing experience.
Willingham’s primary focus and research are in the areas of active learning, student success in pre-licensure nursing, and NCLEX preparation. She works with local nonprofits such as World Relief Durham and the Samaritan Health Clinic. She is currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the National League of Nursing, and the InterVarsity Nurses Christian Fellowship. Willingham hopes that the School of Nursing will be a highly respected entity in healthcare and to be known for their involvement in advocating for patient centered care, particularly the needs of vulnerable populations.
“I am excited to see the day when we have a well-established network of Campbell nurses who provide excellent care and make a difference in the healthcare in communities around the state.”
About the School of Nursing
The Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing at Campbell University is designed to provide students with the training and education necessary to enter the workforce as a registered nurse. The program has been granted full accreditation status by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The charter class of 44 students graduated at the 29th commencement for the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in May 2018. The program is now accepting transfer students. Learn more at cphs.campbell.edu.