Climate and Diversity
Our Commitment to You
Enrollment at the Texas A&M School of Nursing has grown nearly 10-fold, from a laudable inaugural class of 44 undergraduate students to approximately 400 undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Nursing’s first 10 years. Growing from one campus in Bryan-College Station, students are now geographically served and accommodated at multiple locations, including Bryan-College Station, Round Rock, Lufkin and McAllen.
During the School’s first decade, course delivery methods were expanded to offer more diverse instructional ‘classroom’ experiences preparing undergraduate and graduate nurse trainees with online degree options. The capacity to support graduate courses by faculty at our Round Rock location was realized, and the school placed emphasis on growing program offerings in both McAllen and Lufkin with the inclusion of advising and instruction.
These dedicated and intentional activities have proactively positioned the Texas A&M School of Nursing to serve as the state and nation’s most geographically, demographically and ethnically inclusive nursing program.
Resources
- Texas A&M University Health Diversity and Inclusion
- Texas A&M University’s Office for Diversity
- Faculty, Staff and Student Resources
Diversity Mission and Vision
The School of Nursing, in accordance with and in support of The Texas A&M University System, has articulated and fine-tuned an achievable diversity-driven mission and vision as follows:
Furthermore, this mission will facilitate individuals, families and groups in achieving the maximum state of well-being through education of highly skilled nurses, research and service. The mission of the school will be enhanced through faculty contributions to community service, leadership, practice and research.
VISION: Our vision is to be a premier School of Nursing and to educate and empower a diverse population of nurse leaders who will transform health and health systems through service, discovery and knowledge.Diversity Plan
At the School of Nursing, our faculty, staff and students actively seek out opportunities to support a positive and inclusive environment, welcoming all. We are committed to implementing our vision of diversity through an ongoing, dynamic process that shapes students, faculty and staff before, during and after their tenure at the school.
The Climate and Diversity Committee meets on a regular basis to discuss, plan and implement initiatives related to:
- Long-term recruitment of students, faculty and staff that represent and reciprocate the diversity of our state, nation and world to serve a global community.
- Retention of undergraduate and graduate students through inclusion training for faculty and staff as well as mentoring practices developed to support students in the classroom and beyond.
- Retention of full-time faculty and staff through consistent review and evaluation of interviewing, hiring, orienting and mentoring practices.
- Foster, facilitate and enhance the supportive environment in the school as we work and learn together.
Climate and Diversity Committee
Sylvia Vargas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC (chair)
Clinical Assistant Professor
Muna Bhattarai, PhD, RN, CRC
Assistant Professor
Laurie Charles, MSN, RN, CA-CPSANE, SANE-A, SANE-P, CHSE
Clinical Assistant Professor
Andy DeGuzman
Student Representative
Amanda Huang, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Tara Huynh
Student Representative
Eva Magallan, MA
Academic Advisor IV
Star Mitchell, PhD, RN, CCRN-K
Assistant Dean for Distant Site Round Rock
Bobbi Naylor
Administrative Coordinator I
Alison Pittman
Clinical Assistant Professor
Ayanna Polk
Academic Advisor
Robin Williamson
Program Manager