School of Nursing 2024 - 2025 Catalog

School of Nursing Administration



Office of the Dean

Holly Wei, PhD, RN, CPN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Dean and Professor

Laura Opton, DHSc, RN, CNE

Professor, Interim Executive Associate Dean

Lori Franco, MBA
Associate Dean, Business and Finance

Undergraduate Department

Amanda Veesart, PhD, RN, CNE
Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair for the Undergraduate Nursing Department
Erin Gibson, PhD, RN, CCRN-K
Associate Professor, Traditional BSN Program Director
Terry Hill, DNP, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor, Director of Curriculum, Traditional BSN Program
Brandy Pitts, DNP, RN, CCRN-K
Assistant Professor, Traditional BSN Program Director
Richard Pullen, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, CNE-cl, ANEF, FAAN
Professor, RN to BSN Program Director

Irene Salinas, DNP, RN, CNE-cl
Assistant Professor, Accelerated BSN Program Director
Debbie Sikes, DNP, RN, CNE
Professor, Director of Veteran Education Initiatives for Non-Traditional Undergraduate Programs


Graduate Department

LaMicha Hogan, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC 
Assistant Professor and Associate Dean/Department Chair for the Graduate Department
Cindy Acton, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Professor and Program Director, MSN Nursing Administration Track
Steph Hoelscher, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CPHIMS, CHISP, FHIMSS
Professor and Program Director, MSN Nursing Informatics Track
Ronda Mintz-Binder, DNP, RN, CNE
Professor and Program Director, MSN Nursing Education Track
Jeff Watson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, CPPS, CPHQ 
Associate Professor, Program Director, Post-Master's DNP Program
Kellie Bruce, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Professor and Program Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Tara Hilliard, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC
Professor and Program Director, MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Track
Elizabeth Hutson, PhD, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor and Program Director, MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NP Track
Inola Mello, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Professor and Program Director, BSN to DNP Program
Julie Kuzin, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
Associate Professor and Program Director, MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary and Acute Care) Tracks
Erin Sing, DNP, APRN, CNM, FACNM
Associate Professor and Program Director, MSN Nurse-Midwifery Track


Regional Administration


Heather Guest, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
Associate Professor and Interim Regional Dean, Abilene
Valerie Kiper, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Professor and Regional Dean, Amarillo
Kelly Moseley, DHSc, MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor and Interim Regional Dean, Permian Basin
Tiffani Wise, DNP, RN, CNE
Associate Professor and Regional Dean, Dallas, AACN Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing Fellow


Academic Services


Alyce Ashcraft, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FGSA, FAAN

Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship
Joe Ferrer, MEd
Assistant Dean, Education Technology
Patricia Francis-Johnson, DNP, RN, CDP
Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Culture and Climate
Hollis Franco, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Wellness and Retention
Yondell Masten, PhD, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB
Professor and Associate Dean for Outcomes Management and Evaluation
Amy Moore, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Professor and Assistant Dean of Global Health
Lauren Sullivan, EdD, CDP
Assistant Dean of Admissions and Enrollment


Clinical Services and Community Outreach


Linda McMurry, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Professor and Associate Dean for Clinical Services and Community Engagement