Contact the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing

W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing
Thomas Edison State College
101 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 633-6460
nursing@tesc.edu

Susan McMullen O'Brien, EdD, RN - Dean
Dr. Susan McMullen O'Brien has more than 34 years of experience in the healthcare field including nursing, consulting, private practice, teaching, and research. Throughout her career, she has developed many mental health clinical programs and has received grants to support mental health projects and programs. As dean, Dr. O'Brien has successfully transformed the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College from an examination-based RN to BSN curriculum, started in 1983, into a successful growing online format in 2001, and to an RN-BSN/MSN degree program in 2006 to better serve the needs of experienced RNs. During these years, the School has maintained full accreditation status with the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), and in the fall of 2008, received initial accreditation for the RN to MSN program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

In 2005, the School of Nursing established the Honor Society of Nursing which was chartered as Upsilon Rho of Sigma Theta Tau International in 2008, of which Dr. O'Brien is a member.

In 2005, Dr. O'Brien was awarded a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to educate minority nurses in online education and also developed a database of minority educators who can be shared in schools of nursing across the United States. Due to the success of this innovative program, the grant was re-funded in 2008 for another three years.

Dr. O'Brien received the 2008 C.A.R.E.S. Award for Excellence in Education, which was given by the New Jersey State Nurses Association. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the development and implementation of sound and creative educational programming for nurses. Dr. O'Brien also received the Diva Award for Significant Contributions to Nursing Education at the Diva & Don Gala in 2010.

Dr. O'Brien holds a doctorate in health education from Temple University in Philadelphia; a Master of Science in psychiatric nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; and an RN Diploma from Roger Williams General Hospital School of Nursing in Providence, R.I.

Catherine Kotecki, PhD, RN, APN
Dr. Catherine Kotecki is the associate dean of graduate programs of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, teaching and research. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from William Paterson University; a master's degree in adult health nursing from the University of Arizona; and a doctorate in nursing science with a concentration on curriculum development from Widener University in Chester, Pa. Most recently, Dr. Kotecki was the director of Clinical Education and Research at Virtua Health System in southern New Jersey. In this role, she was responsible for the education of 2,000 nurses and allied health professionals. As an educator, she has been a member of the Master Educator's Guild at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. She has also published many professional articles, and is an award winning graduate-level instructor. Dr. Kotecki is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Rho Chapter.

Filomela (Phyllis) Marshall, EdD, RN, CNE
Dr. Phyllis Marshall is the associate dean of undergraduate programs of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Herbert H. Lehman College (CUNY); a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a specialty in public health nursing from the University of Pennsylvania; and a Doctorate of Education degree from Temple University, in curriculum theory and development. In addition to her clinical experience in community and public health nursing, she has been a curriculum consultant and worked in nursing education for the greater part of her career.

Dr. Marshall has taught in and developed curricula for both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She has developed various community based grants, including those supporting parish nursing programs and a community health education center. She has successfully served in educational leadership positions at Holy Family University, including acting head of the nursing program and chair of the master's program where she led the development and implementation of new baccalaureate and master's programs.

Louise Riley, MS, RN, BC
Louise Riley has more than 22 years experience in critical care nursing and is an experienced online educator at the undergraduate and graduate level. She was appointed Distance Learning Coordinator in the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College in 2003 with responsibility for the analysis, identification and implementation of enhancements to the School of Nursing's distance learning programs, and named Assistant Dean for Distance Learning in 2005. Riley received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Villanova University and a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics degree from the University of Colorado. She is board certified in Nursing Informatics, and a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Rho Chapter.

Julie Kulak, MSN, RN, BC, CNE
Julie Kulak is assistant dean of undergraduate programs at the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. She is responsible for coordinating all class and clinical resources for the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Program. In her 35 years in nursing education, she has taught nursing at Capital Health System, Aria Health System, Thomas Jefferson University, and Pennsylvania State University. Her initial nursing education was at Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia, followed by a bachelor's degree at Holy Family College in Philadelphia and a master's degree at Villanova University. During her education at Villanova, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing.

Julie is board certified in Medical Surgical Nursing and is certified as a nurse educator through the National League for Nursing. In 2010, she was the recipient of the New Jersey State Nursing Students Faculty Award.

Holly Leahan, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Holly Leahan is the Graduate Student and Practicum Advisor for the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College. She is certified in medical-surgical nursing and has taught students in both on-ground and online settings. She is a second degree RN, with her first BS degree in Sports Medicine from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She earned her BSN through Drexel University's Accelerated Career Entry Program, as well as completed her MSN online through Drexel University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Rho Chapter, Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, and the National League for Nursing.

Kathleen E. Griffis, MSN, RN, BC
Kathleen E. Griffis received her AAS in Nursing from Mercer County Community College; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Seton Hall University; Masters Degree in Nursing Advanced Practice from The College of New Jersey, including the Graduate Student Award. She is a member of NJ State Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Rho Chapter. Griffis also has certifications in Case Management from Villanova University, ANCC Community Health, and ANCC Certification in Nursing Informatics.

Lisa Whitfield-Harris, MSN, MBA, RN
Lisa Whitfield-Harris is the Diversity Coordinator/Undergraduate Program Advisor for the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. Her responsibilities include the coordination of activities of the Certificate in Nursing Education program, and advising RN-BSN students. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Chester University; Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration from La Salle University. She is currently a doctoral nursing student at Duquesne University. Her professional experience includes many years of nursing including neurosurgical ICU, pediatrics, public health, and nursing management.

She is currently a board member of the Tri-State Diversity Council. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Eastern Nursing Research Society, Transcultural Nursing Society, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, New Jersey Public Health Association, National League of Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association. She is a past scholar and mentee of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association.

Nina Keats, RN, BSN, CSN
Nina Keats was appointed as the Graduate Program Specialist in 2010 with responsibilities related to the Masters of Science in Nursing program outcomes and practicum placement contracts. Her professional experience includes 31 years of nursing and pharmaceutical experience. She worked in medical/surgical, pediatric/pediatric ICU, and operating room in New York hospitals. She has 13 years of pharmaceutical marketing experience, both physician office and hospital based, for Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and received gold tier awards for district sales performance. She transitioned to School Nursing practice in 2002 and has 10 years experience in New Jersey schools. She received her BSN from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, was licensed in New York and New Jersey, and also received School Nurse Certification from Monmouth University. She is a member of the Monmouth County School Nurses Association, the New Jersey State School Nurses Association, and the National League of Nursing.

Jessica Dougherty, BA
Jessica Dougherty was appointed administrative assistant at the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing in 2005. She has extensive experience as an educator and IT trainer and is responsible for administrative support and budget tracking for the School of Nursing. Dougherty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences/Education from LaSalle University.

Greta O'Keefe, BA
Greta O'Keefe was appointed as Publications & Recruitment Specialist in 2011 after being a Program Assistant since 2007. Her primary responsibilities include the tracking creation of all W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing publications, assignment of recruitment events and acting as liaison for the School to the institutional Marketing department. Greta brought to the College more than five years of experience in development, writing, editing and event management. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Alisa Douglas, BS
Alisa Douglas was appointed program assistant at the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing in 2011. She supports all undergraduate nursing programs as well as the associate dean of undergraduate programs. She has extensive experience in higher education and public education and has worked at Rutgers University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Raritan Valley Community College. Alisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science-Marketing from Kean University. She is a supporter and member of the American Red Cross and a member of the Crossroads Theatre Guild in New Brunswick, NJ.

Valerie Preston, AAS
Valerie Preston received her Associates in Applied Science in Secretarial Science from Mercer County Community College. She has more than 27 years' experience working in the administrative field, primarily working at the executive level. She was appointed as program assistant to the Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Thomas Edison State College in 2008. In 2011, she was appointed as Assistant to the Dean for the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College.

Mary E. Hough
Mary joined the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing staff in 2006 as a part-time assistant. Her area of expertise is customer service, including more than 25 years in the corporate world, and has served as a volunteer for civic and school organizations. In addition to student service, she is responsible for recruitment management. Hough attended The College of New Jersey.