Dr. Misty Emmons joined Cornerstone University as the first full-time assistant nursing professor and, with her latest promotion, became the inaugural dean of the School of Health, Science & Technology. Effective July 1, 2024, the new role expands her pioneering faculty leadership responsibilities as chief nursing administrator, director of nursing and assistant professor of nursing.
For Emmons, her service of over a decade on the frontlines of health care informs her classroom instruction, curriculum planning, and leadership. She brings more than 12 years and counting of clinical experience as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner who has provided patients with specialized care in areas such as cardiac, complex peripheral vascular, and heart and lung transplant, and postoperative health in multiple West Michigan medical organizations. As a nursing instructor, her ongoing contributions to the development and implementation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum resulted in the program being awarded CCNE accreditation announced in November 2023, graduating its first cohort of qualified nurses in May 2024, and launching a Cornerstone University Nursing Ambassadors student group.
“Dr. Emmons is a leader with a bright mind and a disarming personality whose intensity and determination leads to excellent results for programs, faculty, and students,” said Dr. Bradford Sample, vice president for academics and chief academic officer. “She led the nursing program to embrace additional practicum hours and even higher standards than in the past so that students would be prepared for their professional examinations and their first job. She has great dreams for the School of Health, Science & Technology that I believe will transform it in the same collaborative way that she improved nursing.”
Emmons earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in advanced practice from Samford University, having successfully defended her dissertation titled “Encouraging Healthy Habits and Chronic Disease Prevention for Wellness in the Faith Community” in April 2024. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing from South University and completed undergraduate studies in nursing and biological sciences. In addition to being a registered nurse and nurse practitioner with the state of Michigan, Emmons is a member of two professional organizations: the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and American Nurses Association.
As Emmons prepares for her fourth academic year at Cornerstone, she expressed excitement for new opportunities to work alongside and collaborate with STEM students and faculty as they study developments in scientific knowledge and conduct research through the lens of a Christian worldview.
“I am excited to step into the role of the dean of the School of Health, Science & Technology,” Emmons said. “As dean, I am privileged to serve with an exceptional group of faculty and staff who are dedicated to not only providing an excellent education to our students, but who are also intentional in the way they demonstrate their personal faith and integrate Biblical truths into the classroom. I look forward to continuing to grow our programs so that we can continue to prepare even more students to live out their faith through their professional and vocational callings in the fields of STEM and health care.”
To learn more about Cornerstone’s School of Health, Science & Technology, request information online or call the Admissions Office at 616.949.5300 to speak with an enrollment counselor today.