Alcorn School of Nursing welcomes new Dean, Associate Dean
Alcorn State University welcomes new deans to lead its School of Nursing program to new heights.
Brookhaven, Mississippi native Dr. Debra Spring is the school’s new dean of nursing. Spring, who is a University of Southern Mississippi alumna, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1975; a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on nursing administration in 1979; and a doctorate degree in nursing education and administration in 2014. Spring served as a nursing faculty member at Hinds Community College for 25 years before being named the college’s assistant dean of nursing in 2005, where she remained until departing for Alcorn.
Jasper County, Mississippi native Dr. Rebecca Fairchild is the school’s new associate dean of nursing. Fairchild also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. She later earned a doctorate degree in nursing education and administration from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Fairchild has held teaching positions in several practical nursing programs and associate degree nursing programs in Mississippi and Virginia.
Spring and Fairchild are excited about their new positions. Both doctors are looking forward to leading a new generation of aspiring nurses at Alcorn.
“I am loving my new position,” said Spring. “I have found the entire faculty, staff, and administration at Alcorn very helpful and professional in the execution of their duties. Everyone has gone above and beyond the call to make me feel welcomed.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with students and faculty at Alcorn,” said Fairchild. “I believe Alcorn’s School of Nursing is uniquely situated to positively impact the nursing workforce and health care needs in southwest Mississippi.”
The new deans plan to offer the students principles of safety, trust and commitment to the craft of nursing.
“Just as I have during my career in nursing education, I want each graduate to provide safe, effective nursing care to those persons entrusted in their care,” said Spring. “I will strive to provide them with an educational environment that has clear expectations of the rigors of the nursing curriculum and an environment of respect and trust.”
“I believe role modeling is important when it comes to inspiring upcoming nurses,” said Fairchild. “It is also important to demonstrate genuine concern and commitment to their success.”
Spring and Fairchild share the desire to make Alcorn’s School of Nursing the best in the nation while providing support to its students.
“My goal is to have Alcorn recognized as a provider of the best nurses in this state and beyond,” said Spring. “I also want to afford the School of Nursing an opportunity to meet the educational needs of its constituents and stakeholders through the provision of innovative and evidence based educational models.”
“My goal is to support the efforts of students, faculty, and administration in becoming a center of excellence in nursing education,” said Fairchild.
