Dr. Vanice Roberts to Serve as Dean of Nursing

Dr. Vanice W. Roberts has been hired as Shorter College’s first dean of the School of Nursing. In this role, she will lead the college in developing this new program. Earlier this spring, the Georgia Board of Nursing granted Shorter “developmental approval” for its proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. “The decision by the Georgia Board of Nursing gives us the authorization to proceed with developing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program,” said Shorter College president Dr. Harold E. Newman. “We will return to the board several times during the two-year developmental process for additional approvals.”

Dr. Vanice W. Roberts

Dr. Roberts will now play a significant role in this process. As a professor emeritus, national nursing education consultant, published author, researcher and presenter, grant writer, and clinical examiner, she is a distinguished addition to the academic leadership at Shorter.

“Dr. Roberts brings a wealth of nursing and academic experience to this role,” said Dr. Craig Shull, provost. “We are very excited about her leadership in the development of the School of Nursing.”

A 30-year veteran of Kennesaw State University’s faculty, Dr. Roberts retired in 2007 as a professor of nursing. During her time at KSU, she taught courses in a variety of health care areas including nursing fundamentals, advanced medical surgical nursing, women’s health issues and research methodology. She also held many administrative roles at KSU including associate dean of the WellStar College of Health and Human Services, acting chair of the School of Nursing, and director of the Center for Professional Development and Service in Health Care.

Dr. Roberts holds a Doctor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a major in nursing administration/adult health; a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University with a major in adult health nursing/nursing education; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women.

“As an educator, Dr. Roberts believes that classroom involvement and student interaction are important components in her role as a college professor,” stated a Fall 2007 article in KSU’s WellStar College of Health and Human Services newsletter. “She has secured more than half a million dollars of grant funding awarded for nursing education and student scholarships. In addition, she has received a number of honors for dedicating years of service to various organizations and community groups.” Her diverse professional service includes being secretary for the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education.

Dr. Roberts and her husband of 35 years, Michael, reside in Kennesaw. They have three adult children.

In mid-February, Shorter announced its plans to make application to the state nursing board for approval to offer the BSN degree. The college’s plans for the program call for the inclusion of a medical missions experience in the curriculum, which would have Shorter students serving needy populations both domestically and abroad.

Interested students should begin enrolling in the prerequisite general education classes at Shorter beginning Fall 2008. Students completing the core sequence at Shorter will be the strongest competitors for the available spaces to begin the nursing curriculum in Fall 2010, pending final approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing. Individuals interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Shorter are asked to e-mail nursing.students@shorter.edu or contact Dr. John Head at (706) 233-7342.

Potential nursing faculty members who are interested in learning more about the program may e-mail nursing.faculty@shorter.edu or contact Shorter College Provost Dr. Craig Shull at (706) 233-7203.

For additional information on Shorter’s developing nursing program, visit www.shorter.edu/academics/nursing/nursing.htm.

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