Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN is the Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). She directs the strategic vision, mission, objectives, and action plans of the ACEN, building further growth initiatives to ensure continued sustainability of the organization and advancing the quality of nursing education and nursing practice in the United States and worldwide.
Dr. Chappell is an accomplished researcher with a clinical background and extensive experience steering the strategic direction of credentialing programs at notable professional organizations and health systems in the U.S. and globally. Prior to assuming the CEO position, Dr. Chappell previously served as Senior Vice President at the American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Nurses Association Enterprise, where she held various leadership positions since 2010. In this role, she was responsible for the certification of individual registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs); and development of board certification examinations. She was responsible for the accreditation of organizations that provide continuing nursing education and interprofessional continuing education; and for accreditation of residency and fellowship programs for RNs and APRNs. She directed the Institute for Nursing Research, analyzing outcomes related to credentialing, and the quality management department. She also led the Advanced Practice Initiatives department.
Prior to ANCC, Dr. Chappell served as the Director of Nursing Clinical Education and Nursing Research at Inova Health System, where she developed nursing clinical education programs supporting student rotations, quality initiatives, and research. Today, she serves on the board of the World Health Organization Academy Standing Advisory Quality Committee, the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative to Address the US Opioid Crisis, and boards responsible for the quality of education for medical students and students engaged in strength and conditioning programs, among various other memberships and titles.
Dr. Chappell holds a baccalaureate in nursing with distinction from the University of Virginia, a MS in advanced clinical nursing, and a doctorate in nursing from George Mason University.
Dr. Nell Ard is the Chief Accreditation Officer for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). For nearly two decades, Dr. Ard has been working for the ACEN. She began as a volunteer peer evaluator in 2004 and then joined the ACEN as a full-time Director in 2012. She was promoted to the new position of Chief Accreditation Officer in 2023.
In 1983, Dr. Ard completed her baccalaureate degree in nursing at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. In 1988, she completed a master’s of nursing degree in family nursing with a focus in nursing education from West Texas State University in Canyon, TX. Dr. Ard completed her Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing in 1999 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in Clinical Research. Her dissertation was entitled Adolescent Prenatal Attachment, Psychosocial Development and Parental Bonding: Is There a Relationship?
Dr. Ard had a variety of clinical experiences. She has worked in Labor and Delivery; Mother/Baby units; Women’s Health Care units; Level II Nurseries; and volunteered in indigent healthcare clinics. She began her teaching career in 1988. She was in nursing education for 24 years prior to coming to the ACEN; and she has taught in diploma; associate; baccalaureate; and master’s degree programs. Prior to coming to ACEN, Dr. Ard was the Director of Nursing for an associate degree program, Collin College in McKinney, Texas for ten (10) years. During her time with Collin College, she facilitated the nursing program’s designation as an Exemplary program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2004 and 2009; and as the first NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for Texas in 2011.
Dr. Ard has been actively involved in nursing education at the regional, state, and national levels. She has published several articles and given presentations extensively. She has also contributed to several nursing books including the “Essentials of Learning” Chapter in Building the Science of Nursing Education: Foundation for Evidence-based Teaching-Learning and was co-editor for Clinical Nursing Education: Current Reflections. Both of these books were published by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
Dr. Ard has been a Certified Nurse Educator since 2007. She also has been a Fellow in the Academy of Nurse Educators since 2009. Dr. Ard began as a program evaluator with ACEN in 2004; has served as a site visitor chair; and served on the Evaluation Review Panel for associate programs.
Dr. Ard has memberships in the National League for Nursing; Sigma Theta Tau; Association for Women’s Health, Obstetrical, and Neonatal Nursing; and the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.
Alex Mariquit joined the ACEN in November of 2001. As Chief of Operations, Mr. Mariquit oversees the day-to-day operations at the ACEN office, from the logistical planning of meetings, forums, and exhibits, including contract negotiations with hotels and vendors and travel and lodging of staff and volunteers. Alex also is responsible for developing and managing the front and back end of the ACEN data systems, websites, and other online projects.
Prior to working for the ACEN, Alex Mariquit was a programming and web design instructor at the Chubb Institute where he also earned his certificate in Programming and Database Administration. Before focusing on a career in information technology, Alex amassed close to twenty years of both creative and technical experience in other fields. After majoring in Design and Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology, he founded a design and manufacturing company specializing in formal garments catering to an upscale and exclusive market. Alex also served as the Business Manager and Artistic Director for a touring dance company based in New York City, collaborating with other artists, responsible for conceptualizing and executing full productions, negotiating venues and business contracts, and other logistical aspects of the company both domestically and internationally.
Jessica Gibson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 2008. Upon graduating college she participated in grant work for two North Georgia artist-in-residency organizations, the Hambidge Center and Lillian Smith Center. While working at these organizations Jessica catalogued historical documents and books, and assisted with events hosted by the organizations. She also performed volunteer work at the Rabun County Historical Society cataloguing historical items with the PastPerfect Museum software.
Ms. Gibson joined ACEN in February 2012 as Operations Assistant. In this role she handled answering and directing incoming and outgoing calls, distributing mail, logging reports, responding to accreditation verifications, moderated rooms at the Evaluation Review Panel Meetings, assisted with preparing materials for Self-Study Forums, and served as extra support in other areas as needed. In May 2017 Jessica moved into the Executive Assistant to the CEO position. In her current role she prepares correspondence for the Office of the CEO, maintains the CEO calendar, makes travel arrangements for the CEO, takes meeting minutes, makes preparations for Board meetings, processes complaints, and is responsible for handling Board elections.
While attending college, Jessica was a member of the Circle K International Club, a student-led collegiate service organization. She volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and a children’s home. While volunteering during college and working at the Hambidge Center and Lillian Smith Center, she developed a love for non-profits and volunteer work. Ms. Gibson is excited to be working at ACEN, another non-profit focused on service and volunteer work.
Jessica also has a love of dance and grew up taking dance lessons in ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe. In her free time she continues to take dance lessons, as well as volunteers with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Keri Nunn-Ellison is the Senior Director of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). She was an active volunteer for the ACEN as a peer evaluator with experience as a team chair and the Evaluation Review Panel. She also participated on the standards review team contributing to the 2017 Standards and Criterion. She joined the ACEN as a Director in 2016 and was promoted to the new role of Senior Director in 2023.
Dr. Nunn-Ellison holds an associate in applied science degree in nursing from Sinclair Community College, a bachelor of science in nursing from University of Cincinnati, a master of science in nursing with an emphasis in nursing and health care education from University of Phoenix, and a doctor of education with a specialization in educational leadership and management from Capella University. She has also been a Certified Nurse Educator since 2010.
Dr. Nunn-Ellison was the former Associate Program Administrator for Nursing at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. She has nursing faculty experience as well as nursing practice experience in medical-surgical, intensive care, and hospice environments. Dr. Nunn-Ellison is dedicated to quality teaching and learning, and has focused her career on course, program, and college level outcomes assessment. She championed quality assessment practices in her roles at Sinclair as Divisional Assessment Coordinator for Health Sciences and chair of the college-wide Assessment Committee, and her resume includes professional faculty development presentations and publications on these topics. Dr. Nunn-Ellison is also committed to promoting quality nursing education and practice, and she served two terms on the Education Advisory Board for the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Dr. Suzette Farmer holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Utah and has over 25 years of experience in nursing education. She has taught in associate, baccalaureate, and master’s programs at various colleges and universities including: Weber State University; Utah Valley University; Massachusetts College of Health Professions; and Roseman University of Health Sciences. Dr. Farmer’s primary teaching responsibilities have included psychiatric-mental health nursing, leadership, nursing theory, and research. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has served as a Department Chair, Interim Campus Dean, and Associate Dean.
Most recently, Dr. Farmer worked in licensing and regulation of healthcare professions. Her primary duties included working with the Utah State Board of Nursing and management of nursing licensure and disciplinary actions in Utah. She also worked with other health professionals and boards including physical therapy, occupational therapy, certified and direct-entry midwives, athletic trainers, and vocational rehabilitation counselors.
Other professional activities have included serving as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Nursing Education and working with the Utah Action Coalition for Health. Dr. Farmer believes in the power and process of accreditation to improve and sustain high quality nursing education. She is excited to be a member of the professional staff at the ACEN and to focus her professional attention on ensuring quality nursing education through the accreditation of nursing education programs.
Dr. Melissa Tillson is a Director with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Dr. Tillson holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing science from the University of Mississippi, a master’s of science in nursing education from the University of Mississippi, and a doctorate of philosophy degree in nursing education and administration from William Carey University.
Dr. Tillson has a variety of clinical experience, including emergency medicine, post-anesthesia care, and home health. She also worked as a critical care educator in the hospital setting. She transitioned to nursing education as an associate degree nursing instructor at Hinds Community College in 2002. Dr. Tillson was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of Associate Degree Nursing in 2016, then Director of Associate Degree Nursing in 2019, before finally being appointed as the Dean of Nursing in 2020. As Dean of Nursing, she was responsible for programs on multiple campuses, including associate degree nursing, practical nursing, and Healthcare Assistant programs. During her tenure as Dean, she served as an ACEN peer evaluator, and in spring 2022, Dr. Tillson was the recipient of the Hinds Hero, which is awarded to employees that provide exceptional customer service and consistently promote the mission of the college.
Dr. Tillson is committed to student success, faculty development, outcome improvement, and building successful teams. She has served as a consultant on various projects used in nursing education and provided live licensure exam reviews for various types of nursing programs, in addition to working diligently with the student nurse extern program at the program and state level. She served as the Extern Coordinator for a healthcare facility before coordinating the extern program for Hinds Community College. Dr. Tillson has served at the state level on various committees, including the State Extern Committee, the Student Nurse Extender Committee, and the Accreditation Review and Evaluation Committee.
Dr. Laura Polk is a Director with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Dr. Polk holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Georgetown University, a master’s of science in nursing education and a doctorate of philosophy degree in nursing science, both from The Catholic University of America. She has been an active volunteer for the ACEN as a peer evaluator for over 10 years and has experience with the Evaluation Review Panel.
Dr. Polk began her nursing career in the Army Nurse Corps, serving 6 years on active duty. She transitioned to nursing education following a clinical career in pediatric and maternal-child nursing. Dr. Polk served as faculty at Howard University prior to moving to the College of Southern Maryland where she worked as nursing faculty, Health Sciences department chair, and Dean of the School of Science and Health during more than 20 years of service. Dr. Polk is the recipient of numerous awards for nursing education including the MNA District 9 Grace E. Brown Nurse Educator of the Year and Nurse of the Year awards, and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence award. In 2022, she was selected as an AACC John E. Rouche Future Leaders Fellow.
At the state level, Dr. Polk participated with the Maryland Association of Health Sciences Deans and Administrators and the Maryland Association of Associate Degree Nursing Directors, serving as Chair from 2013-2015. Other professional activities include serving as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classification, and being appointed to and serving on the Maryland Board of Nursing for a 4-year term.
Dr. Polk believes in the value of a peer-led accreditation process with the goal of improving quality in nursing education. She is excited to be a member of the professional nursing staff at ACEN.
Ms. Tray Patterson is an Associate Director at the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. She has over ten years of experience in higher education and accreditation. Ms. Patterson has experience developing and leading the peer evaluator processes, including recruitment, training, management, assignments, and evaluations. Her former positions included Associate Director for Volunteer Services, Assistant Director for Accreditation Services, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and Program Assessment Coordinator. Ms. Patterson holds a baccalaureate degree from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in education from George Washington University. She is pursuing a doctorate at Drew University and holds a Volunteer Management certification from the Georgia Center for Nonprofits.
Dr. Gerding is a Doctoral graduate of Ohio State University where she received her PhD in Nursing. For over 30 years, nursing has been her career.
She is experienced in higher education as she has served as Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Graduate Program Director of Rasmussen College and has taught graduate analytics methods for over for over 15 years. She also has served the ACEN and field of Nursing Education as an ACEN Peer Evaluator and Team Chair.
She has provided publications in Perceptions of Coordination of Care Between Hospice and Skilled Nursing Facility Care Providers and research to Gerontological Society of America.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Sign up for the ACEN newsletter BRIDGES for accreditation news and updates.