Helen Gordon, DNP, CNM, CNE

Assistant Professor, North Carolina Central University

Helen Gordon, DNP, CNM, CNE, has been a nurse for 50 years and an educator for 2 decades. Dr. Gordon has worked as a bedside maternal nurse, a nurse-midwife, a rural health specialist, and a nurse manager. She has also served as director of two women’s health units.

From among these many professional experiences, Dr. Gordon says her greatest achievement is playing a role in the education of more than 2,300 new nurses. She is known among her students as the "NCLEX Whisperer," and she has increased the NCLEX pass rates at the 2 programs where she has taught — Duke University and North Carolina Central University.

Both faculty and student nominators describe Dr. Gordon as "a masterful teacher and communicator” because she distills complex concepts into relatable information. Students also say that her classes "fly by" because of her dynamic teaching methods, which include simulations, demonstrations, real-life experiences — and humor.

Dr. Gordon has been a trailblazer in areas like nurse wellness. While teaching at Duke and representing the accelerated BSN program in a curriculum overhaul, she prompted the leadership to examine how students could truly understand the impact of illness if they didn’t first understand the role of wellness.

Her prompting led to a significant curriculum change in which students completed self-assessments and designed wellness interventions to improve their own health. At the end of the project, they reported significant lifestyle and health improvements.

Dr. Gordon’s ability to integrate technology changes is also noteworthy. During the COVID-19 crisis, she quickly adapted her teaching materials to a digital platform, creating "Success Circles" that continue to support students in 2025. And although she describes herself as "tech challenged” at times, she uses a variety of mediums to enhance student learning.

In fact, her students call her the most "student-centered" faculty member they have ever encountered. One nominator noted that Dr. Gordon defines her prelicensure nursing students as “clients,” and said many students consider her their most innovative and creative teacher.

“Dr. Gordon is a natural leader, but I am not sure that she realizes how much of a leader she is,” one student wrote. “She inspires her students. She instills confidence in us each and every day — and when we do not have that confidence, she provides us with the tools to obtain it. She shows us by her example that a leader is someone who can effectively communicate, advocate and collaborate for patients and colleagues.”

Kristin Powals, DNP, RN, CLC, CPN, PCN, RNC-MNN, CNE

Clinical Coordinator and Professor, Baker College of Nursing

A common refrain on the nominations for Kristin Powals, DNP, RN, CLC, CPN, PCN, RNC-MNN, CNE, was that she achieves the highest standards of professional communication, especially when it comes to creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Colleagues say that Dr. Powals actively listens to each student and acknowledges their unique concerns with empathy and understanding. “Her classroom and office are safe spaces where students feel free to express themselves, fostering open communication and trust,” one nominator wrote. “Kristin’s approachability allows students to vent their frustrations without fear of judgment, which is vital in preparing them to handle the emotional challenges of the nursing profession.”

Dr. Powal’s commitment to wellness and self-care is also impressive. From the very start of the nursing program, she teaches students stress management techniques and emphasizes the importance of self-care. She helps them realize that these practices are a foundation for academic and personal success.

And that’s not all. One of her nominators points out that Dr. Powal takes this teaching a step further to assist students in creating detailed organizational calendars that help them manage their workload and reduce the stress associated with nursing school. “Kristin reinforces that self-care is not an indulgence but a necessity,” the colleague wrote. “This instills a mindset that prioritizes well-being alongside academic achievement.”

To support students during high-stress times like final exams, Dr. Powal has created calming spaces to provide students with a quiet and restorative environment to decompress.

She also stands out for her leadership in embracing and implementing digital tools that enhance student learning and client care. Dr. Powal is an ATI Champion who guides students in leveraging ATI resources to maximize their academic success. Dr. Powal challenges students to recognize that leadership is an integral part of every nurse’s identity. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy and her lessons on delegation, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence equip students with the tools to handle challenging interpersonal situations with empathy and professionalism.

Catherine Healy Sharbaugh, DNP, FNP, GNP B-C, FNYAM, FRCSI

Dean of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer and Assistant Nursing Professor of Research and Leadership, University of Mount Saint Vincent Saint Joseph School of Nursing, Riverdale, NY

Throughout her work as an educator, Catherine Healy Sharbaugh, DNP, FNP, GNP B-C, FNYAM, FRCSI, has taken innovative approaches to teaching therapeutic communication. She has integrated evidence-based communication strategies into both classroom instruction and clinical education and has implemented simulation-based learning and real-world case studies.

Under her leadership, standardized patient simulations have become a cornerstone of the curriculum at the University of Mount Saint Vincent Saint Joseph School of Nursing (UMSV), and this has significantly improved students' confidence in patient communication. Dr. Sharbaugh is also a champion of wellness and self-care, advocating for stress management practices within nursing education. She implemented a wellness day each term for students and faculty to engage in self-care activities, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and reflections. These efforts have led to noticeable improvements in morale and burnout prevention.

In the areas of nursing informatics and technology, Dr. Sharbaugh has leveraged digital tools to enhance healthcare accessibility and clinical decision-making. She has spearheaded the implementation of high-fidelity virtual clinical simulations at UMSV, and this has increased student confidence in using electronic health records and making data-driven decisions.

The nomination for Dr. Sharbaugh also praises her commitment to expanding educational access for underrepresented students. As a first-generation college graduate, she has a special appreciation for the transformative power of education. Under her leadership, the School of Nursing has launched academic support programs and community outreach efforts that are increasing first-generation student enrollment and graduation rates.

The impact of Dr. Sharbaugh’s education leadership is reflected in the dramatic improvement in NCLEX pass rates at UMSV. Through curriculum enhancements, targeted faculty development, and intensive student support initiatives, she led an unprecedented turnaround. Within her first 6 months as dean, the NCLEX pass rate for graduates soared from 67% to 90%.

But the colleagues who nominated Catherine say that her impact goes beyond passing scores. They praise her for transforming how nursing students develop the therapeutic communication skills that ensure they graduate as compassionate, confidence and patient-centered professionals.

“Dean Sharbaugh models exceptional communication in daily interactions, setting a standard for respectful, professional, and culturally competent dialogue,” one faculty member wrote. “Whether mentoring students, facilitating difficult conversations in clinical settings, or leading faculty discussions, her communication style is clear, intentional, and rooted in emotional intelligence.”

Shu-Yi Wang, PhD, RN, CNS

Professor, University of Colorado College of Nursing

One of Dr. Wang's core philosophies is encapsulated in her reminder to students and colleagues: "For each patient, you may be 1 of 100. But you are their 1 and only nurse." This philosophy of personalized care drives her as a nurse educator.

In their nominations, colleagues described Dr. Wang’s teaching style as focused on therapeutic communication and a supportive learning environment.

“She frequently checks in with her students through quiz questions to ensure understanding and never appears rushed or annoyed when a student needs clarification,” one nominator wrote. “This approach creates a safe space for students to seek help and fosters a line of trust that is unbroken by her professionalism and friendly demeanor.”

Dr. Wang’s ability to distill complex content, despite language barriers, is particularly impressive. As one student noted, "She explains concepts in different ways using storytelling, humor, expertly designed images on visual slides, and formative evaluation to gauge our understanding."

Dr. Wang lives the philosophy that "giving really is better than receiving." She advocates for underserved students and supports their emotional well-being, helping them cope with life events during nursing school.

As an example, one nomination cited Dr. Wang’s support for a student who endured the loss of four family members in a plane crash. She provided thoughtful strategies to help him keep pace with his studies, enabling him to graduate with his cohort. Dr. Wang is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader who is respected by faculty and students alike. She challenges her students to be better nurses and better people, holding them to high expectations because she has high expectations for herself.

She is also recognized for innovations and research in global health and oncology. She has pioneered strategies to enhance nursing science and practice, such as the Modified Illness-Wellness Continuum Model for Adult Health Nursing and teaching CREATE Appraisal Skills for Evidence-Based Practice. Her mentorship strategy, known by the acronym PRACTICE (Pray-Read-Ask-Connect-Team-Ignite-Cherish-Evaluate), highlights the interconnectedness of various aspects of the nursing profession.

In Chinese, Shu-Yi means “Happy Lady.” As one of her colleagues wrote: “Dr. Wang’s name perfectly captures her outlook and philosophy to bring joy, comfort, and support to those she encounters.”