The National Consortium for Nursing Academic Coaches (NCNAC)
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The National Consortium for Nursing Academic Coaches (NCNAC) was started in 2021 to connect educators in nursing academia looking for help in supporting their nursing students through academic coaching or student success. The coaching role is broadly defined and includes nursing faculty or staff that help nursing students with topics such as studying skills, time management, test taking, or general life skills. Our consortium works to fill in gaps in support for nursing academic coaches, as well as to support one another through research and collaboration. NCNAC is currently composed of over 500 nursing educators from 48 states in the U.S.
To foster nursing education excellence, we dedicate ourselves to empowering students through personalized coaching, innovative teaching methods, and evidence-based practices. By creating a collaborative environment, we create opportunities for students to thrive, embrace lifelong learning, and achieve their full potential. Together, we advance the field of nursing education by promoting research, sharing best practices, and advocating for continuous improvement.
Vision:“NCNAC advances excellence in nursing academic student support, empowering educators and students to reach their academic and professional goals”
Mission:To foster nursing education excellence, we dedicate ourselves to empowering students through personalized coaching, innovative teaching methods, and evidence-based practices. By creating a collaborative environment, we create opportunities for students to thrive, embrace lifelong learning, and achieve their full potential. Together, we advance the field of nursing education by promoting research, sharing best practices, and advocating for continuous improvement.
Values:
Together, we:
Believe in a student-centered approach to academic coaching with a focus on supporting individualistic learning styles, educational and career goals, and holistic wellness.
Seek to advance the field of nursing academic coaching through collaboration, discussion, and the development of evidence-based best practices.
Strive to create an inclusive and diverse group of nurse educators who contribute knowledge specific to their student body in an effort to create a well-rounded body of knowledge and expertise.
Empower nursing students by providing the tools to promote self-efficacy, motivation, and self-regulation.
Advocate for the needs of nursing academic coaches and nursing students to give power to their voices and to make an impact on their universities, states, countries, and the world.
Mrs. Henderson joined the Auburn College of Nursing Faculty in 2016. She graduated from Auburn’s College of Nursing in 2013 with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Following graduation, she moved to Atlanta and worked for Emory University Hospital in the NeuroIntensive Care Unit. Mrs. Henderson then went on to graduate from Auburn University in 2016 with her Masters in Nursing Education. After graduation, Mrs. Henderson began working for the Auburn University College of Nursing and teaches first and second semester students in the areas of Nursing Pathophysiology and Adult Health Nursing. She is currently working on completing a PhD in Educational Psychology through Auburn University.
Mrs. Henderson is also the Academic Coach for the College of Nursing. In this role, she works with College of Nursing students to improve test taking, time management, and study skills. She also founded the National Consortium for Nursing Academic Coaches, a national organization that brings together academic coaches from around the country to collaborate and support each other in their academic and clinical roles. She is the faculty advisor for the AUCON Student Wellness Committee, the AUCON Student Nurses Christian Fellowship, and the AUCON Orientation Counselors.
Amanda Mehlhaff is a master’s prepared lecturer and Student Success Coach for the South Dakota State University College of Nursing. Her teaching and mentoring experience primarily occurs in undergraduate (standard and accelerated) programs for bachelor’s degree prepared nurses. She currently is the Student Success Coach for the largest nursing school in South Dakota with more than 650 students in four cities across the state. Amanda enjoys enhancing student success for academic and professional goals and places a high emphasis on student belonging, positive learning environments and engagement, and active learning strategies.
Beth Hultquist has been a nurse educator since 2008 having taught in ADN, BSN, and MSN programs. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at Baylor University’s LHSON in Dallas. Her niche is teaching complicated adult medical surgical concepts and tutoring for classroom and NCLEX success. Dr. Hultquist has always been student focused and enjoys coming alongside students to help, encourage, teach and mentor. She realizes external forces have an impact on student learning and is willing to help students manage their life stressors as well as school. Dr Hultquist strives for each student to feel they are valued, respected, and encouraged.
CJ Wright-Boon earned her BSN from Bradley University in Peoria, IL and her MSN from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria, IL. CJ spent the first decade of her career working as a nurse on an adult CVICU and then a Pediatric ICU. She has worked as a faculty member at SFMCCON since 2008 with roles in coordinating the college's simulation and practice labs and teaching in both didactic and clinical settings. CJ currently is the coordinator of the college’s Academic Support Center, where her focus is collaborating with the students and other staff members to help students meet their goals of becoming a nurse.
Lauren Strand is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Central Methodist University, in Fayette, Missouri. Lauren graduated from Central Methodist University in 2012 and started her career at the University of Missouri Hospital on the Progressive Care Stepdown Unit and then took a role in the ICU Float cluster as a PRN Nurse. She then transferred to Boone Hospital and remained in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit for almost seven years working PRN while teaching nursing at CMU. Lauren graduated with her Master’s in Nursing Education in 2016 from Central Methodist University and joined the faculty team where she taught several didactic and clinical courses. Currently, she is the Director of the RN to BSN Completion Program for CMU and the undergraduate Nursing Student Success Program Coordinator. Lauren’s passion is meeting students right where they are and helping foster their full potential academically and professionally while maintaining a healthy life balance. Lauren serves as one of the BSN Coordinators for the National Consortium for Nursing Academic Coaches. She is also a proud member of Alpha Iota chapter of Sigma Theta Tau and serves as the Awards Chair.
Veronica Nieto M.S.O.L. (she/her/ella) is a bilingual higher education professional based in Portland, Oregon, with a decade of experience in student support an academic success. With a master’s degree in organizational leadership, she currently serves as the RN to BS Online Education Program Manager and Academic Advisor at Oregon Health and Science University's School of Nursing. Veronica is dedicated to enhancing student engagement through a high-touch online support model that fosters a strong sense of belonging. She is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment, building trusting relationships with her students, and helping them navigate their educational journeys with confidence and support.
Dr. Tierney began her professional career working in Neuropsychology as a psychometrist, which eventually led to working in leadership and administrator roles for Accessibility Resources and Dean of Students offices within higher education for nearly a decade. Beginning in 2021, Dr. Tierney decided to compile her 16 years of experience, education, and research in serving college students into working as an academic coach and educational consultant. Dr. Tierney currently serves as Student Success Coach for VCU School of Nursing in Richmond, Virginia and while she works with all students enrolled, she specializes in working with neurodivergent students, specifically those with high-incidence disabilities like ADHD and Anxiety.
Dr. Janeen Amason is an Associate Professor at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia and has over thirty years nursing experience in women’s health, care of women during pregnancy and postpartum, newborn care, prenatal education, and nursing education. She received her BSN from Auburn University, MSN from Troy University, and PhD in Nursing from Georgia State University. Dr. Amason has twenty-five years' experience as a nurse educator teaching in LPN, ADN, and BSN programs. Her current leadership role at the Wellstar School of Nursing is the Assistant Director of Nursing Student Success.
