Alcorn State welcomes Dr. Powell-Young as new Dean of Nursing
Alcorn State welcomes Dr. Powell-Young as new Dean of Nursing
After discussing the legacy of Alcorn State University and its School of Nursing with staff members, former Epigeneticist and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Dr. Yolanda Powell-Young knew that Alcorn would be the perfect place to begin a new chapter in her life.
“When I saw the research and academic vision for the School of Nursing, I felt that I was well suited to lead the School of Nursing into the future,” said Powell-Young.
Her progressive thinking and will to succeed led Alcorn’s Nursing school to name her the new Dean of Nursing on the Natchez campus.
Powell-Young has been in the nursing field for 21 years, 12 of which has been dedicated to educating both practicing and aspiring nurses. She has been an investigative member of funded research totaling more than $7,000,000. Powell-Young completed her baccalaureate at Grambling State University and her master’s at Northwestern State University. She has a Ph.D. in research and has completed postdoctoral work in Clinical and Molecular Genetics at the University of Iowa, Georgetown University and The National Institutes of Health.
Her most recent studies included a National Institute of Health funded project investigating the determinants of inflammation and effect of intervention among African-American adolescent females with metabolic risk factors for diabetes and heart disease in Sudanese families.
When Powell-Young thinks of Alcorn’s successful track record, it makes her proud to join such an esteemed team.
“Alcorn State University School of Nursing has a proud tradition of educating and graduating registered nurses. I am honored to be a part of Alcorn’s history,” she explains.
“We welcome Dr. Powell-Young to lead Alcorn’s talented nursing program,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Samuel L. White. “We are confident that she will foster a collaborative spirit within the School of Nursing and surrounding communities, where educators, researchers and clinicians join together to advance health and quality of life.”
Building a thirst for knowledge motivates Powell-Young to come in and do her best to prepare up and coming nurses to be valuable assets to the world.
“Knowing that I am training competent, compassionate professionals that may become the Nobel Prize winner, a presidential scholar, a surgeon general or a dean of nursing makes me love my job.”
It is important to Powell-Young that she motivates her students to do their best by giving them valuable words of wisdom.
“I always encourage my students that greatness is achieved through
excellence.”
Powell-Young’s ultimate goal is to cement her legacy as dean by bringing “academic excellence and national prominence” to Alcorn.
