NOVA Selects New Dean of Nursing

Marsha Atkins Ph.D., has taken the helm.

Northern Virginia Community College’s Medical Education Campus (MEC) officials have announced a new dean for the school’s nursing program. Marsha Atkins Ph.D., a 20-year military veteran, has taken the helm. Prior to her appointment at the MEC, she was dean of nursing at City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X College.

“My main objective is to ensure the MEC’s nursing program’s reaccreditation for the next eight years,” Atkins said. “Also, we will be starting a new nursing curriculum next fall, and I plan to work with the faculty to ensure that it will be successful and beneficial to our students. NOVA’s Nursing program is a very good program, and I would like to make it an even greater program.”

MEC Acting Provost Andrew Cornell cited Adkins' "leadership style and vast experience as factors that will complement our nursing program.”

Atkins holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, an M.S. in Nursing Administration and Public Health from San Jose State University, a BSN in Nursing from Alverno College, and a B.A. in Health Education from the University of St. Francis.

Atkins has 46 years of clinical practice, education and administrative experience in both the military and public sector and has served as a midwife in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force.