The governance model for the School of Nursing & Health Innovations (SONHI) community is one of shared decision-making by consensus. We consider consensus to be when all members can participate in the decision-making process and agree to support the decision of the whole. Using consensus, faculty, staff, and students participate in the discussion of issues and agree to act. Committees are used to facilitate the work of the SONHI community.
The standing SONHI committees for 2022-23 were: (1) Community, (2) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (3) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Curriculum, (4) Integrative Health & Wellness (IHW) Curriculum, (5) Graduate Curriculum, and (6) Community Professional Development. Each Curriculum Committee (BSN, IHW, and Graduate) has two standing task forces: (1) Academic Progression and Success and (2) Assessment and Evaluation. The Community Professional Development Committee has three standing task forces: (1) Teaching and Learning, (2) Initiative for Vital Practice, and (3) Leadership Development. Throughout the year, ad-hoc task forces may be created in a committee to complete work towards the committee goals.
Each SONHI committee meets a minimum of twice a semester and more frequently, as needed. Continuous quality improvement proposals that are approved by a committee are sent directly to Community for review, discussion, and voting.
SONHI students are invited and encouraged to join SONHI committees as student representatives at the beginning of each new academic year.
See below for details about each committee and their 2022-23 goals and action steps. Note that purpose statements, goals, and action steps may be adjusted throughout the year.
Click here for a summary of the 2022-23 committee activities.
Click here for a summary of the 2021-22 committee activities.
Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu with questions.
Committee Purpose: Serves as the decision-making body of the SONHI. Provides a mechanism by which issues pertaining to the SONHI may be managed in an efficient, creative, and effective manner. Provides a brave and safe forum that promotes radical listening, open communication, free expression, and the exchange of ideas among faculty, staff, and students, as well as enhances the SONHI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals with shared accountability. Provides an organizational process to support the professional growth and development of faculty, staff, and students.
2022-23 Chair: Tim Winslea
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
Goal #2: Provide the Community with timely information about initiatives, issues, development activities, and proposals.
Action Steps:
Committee Purpose: Responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change (DEIAPC).
2022-23 Chair: Dr. Chloe Littzen
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Enhance commitment to meeting our school’s DEI goals for students, faculty, and staff with shared accountability with the university. (DEIAPC Goal 1)
Action Steps:
Goal #2: Engage in radical listening to raise the voices of those who are often silenced and unheard. (DEIAPC Goal 2)
Action Steps:
Goal #3: Broadly share the work of the UPSONHI Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. (DEIAPC Goal 10)
Action Steps:
Note: More information about the DEI Committee is available here.
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study. The committee monitors content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. The committee oversees curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2022-23 Chair: Dr. Nicole Auxier
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study.
Action Steps:
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that BSN assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess BSN student readiness for RN licensure and practice, as well as performance on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective BSN program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following BSN program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose BSN program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the IHW program of study. The committee monitors content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. The committee oversees curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2022-23 Chair: Tanya Bachman
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the BSN program of study.
Action Steps:
Goal #3: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the IHW program of study.
Action Step:
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that BS-IHW assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess Health Coaching student readiness for national Health Coaching certification and practice, as well as performance on the NBHWC certifying exam. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective BS-IHW program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following IHW program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose IHW program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
Committee Purpose: Responsible for leading the monitoring, structuring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement of the graduate-level programs of study. The Committee monitors content and structure of curriculum, the sequence of the program of study, and the courses taught. The Committee oversees curricular fidelity and integrity, and ensures professional standards are integrated in the curriculum.
2022-23 Co-Chairs: Dr. Kristine Dukart-Harrington
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change.
Action Step:
Goal #2: Lead the monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the DNP program of study.
Action Steps:
Task Forces:
Assessment and Evaluation: Ensure that DNP program assessment and evaluation practices align with and reflect best education and meet our diverse needs. Assess student readiness for NP certification and practice, as well as performance on the national NP certifying exams. Provide accreditors with evidence of a rigorous, effective DNP program.
Action Steps: Monitor the achievement of the following DNP program effectiveness outcomes/ benchmarks:
Academic Progression and Success: Review and propose graduate program policies, procedures, and student support services to allow for maximum retention and/or student transition success.
Action Steps:
Committee Purpose: Support the professional development of SONHI Community members through education and training for: Teaching and Learning, Vital Practice, and Leadership.
2022-23 Co-Chairs: Dr. Janet Banks & Dr. Kala Mayer
2022-23 Committee Goals & Key Action Steps:
Goal #1: Support the implementation of the SONHI DEI Action Plan for Change (DEIAPC).
Action Steps:
Goal #2: Support teaching and learning needs of the faculty.
Action Steps:
Note: Goal #2 and its action steps are assigned to the Teaching & Learning Task Force.
Goal #3: Support Vital Practice needs of the faculty, staff and students
Action Steps:
Note: Goal #3 and its action steps are assigned to the Initiative for Vital Practice Task Force.
Goal #4: Support leadership development needs of the faculty and staff
Action Steps:
Note: Goal #4 and its action steps are assigned to the Leadership Task Force.
Task Forces:
Teaching & Learning: Responsible for leadership in the discussion, development, and implementation of tools, projects, programs, and protocols that enhance faculty’s ability to teach in ways that foster optimal student learning. This committee is also responsible for issues of faculty welfare.
Initiative for Vital Practice: Aims to reduce the incidence and effects of perceived stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout among the SONHI Community, thereby improving professional quality of life and workplace motivation. Research and propagate evidence-based best practices for both individuals and organizations.
Leadership: Identify leadership development opportunities for faculty and staff and cultivate leadership growth for individuals and the Community.