Mount Carmel College of Nursing is honored to have five faculty and staff members who were recognized in the 2015 edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus. Kathy Espy, BA, director of diversity and community initiatives, was recognized as a Living Legend. In addition, four other faculty and staff were honored in this year’s edition: Kim Campbell, PhD, director of enrollment management; Associate Professor Shirley Cooley, PhD, RN,CNE, C-EFM; Clinical Instructor Janet Sheppard, MSN, BSN, BA; and Associate Professor Tanika Cherry-Montgomery, PhD, RN-BC, coordinator of the Second Degree Accelerated Program. All honorees were celebrated at a special reception held Tuesday, October 27 at the Ohio Union on the Ohio State University campus.
“Who’s Who in Black Columbus is the most visible publication that celebrates, documents and recognizes the contributions that African Americans are making in greater Columbus. It provides history and tradition about people, organizations and businesses that are making positive contributions and significant impact throughout the central Ohio community,” Espy said.
Each coffee table publication features stories, community profiles, biographical data and photos of top professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders from various career disciplines. These individuals have made their mark in their professions, occupations or in service to others.
Long known as a leader in the central Ohio community, Espy was honored as a Living Legend in this year’s publication. She began her history with Mount Carmel as a trustee on the Mount Carmel Foundation board, which led to her service as the first African American member of the Mount Carmel College of Nursing board of trustees.
In her role on the MCCN board, Espy was invited to a meeting to develop a strategy to support minority students in their journey to become professional nurses. Her work on that project led to a job at MCCN where she developed and implemented “The Learning Trail,” an innovative strategy of advocacy and support for under-represented students, which positively impacts retention and graduation rates.
Espy also extended her advocacy to women, developing Mount Carmel’s “A Gathering of Women” receptions, which have celebrated the accomplishments and achievements of women in the Columbus community.
Now serving as director of diversity and community initiatives, Espy brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing colleges and universities in the area of diversity and inclusion.
“With support and encouragement, students can maximize their opportunity for educational success, which impacts not only their families but future generations as well,” Espy said.
Espy’s involvement in the community is considerable; she has served on the boards for Action for Children, Heritage Day Health Centers, BalletMet and Isabelle Ridgway and is a former chair of the YWCA Board of Trustees and the YWCA Endowment Trust.
A former president of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission, Espy now serves as one of seven commissioners for the City of Columbus. She is a member of The Links, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Columbus Corporate Sisters and several social organizations.
Espy has been honored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the United Negro College Fund, the Columbus Junior League, the AEP Foundation, the Walter and Marian English Foundation, the Ohio Association of College Administrators, the Columbus Black Nurses Association, St. Paul AME Church, the Columbus Chapter of Jack and Jill of America and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She is a member of the YWCA Academy of Women of Achievement and is one of only three women to receive the YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award. The Espy family was honored in the Columbus Black Heritage Bicentennial Celebration Edition, 2012.
A Toledo native, Espy holds a degree in in speech pathology and audiology from the Ohio State University.
MCCN’s other honorees to Who’s Who in Black Columbus have distinctive backgrounds as well.
Dr. Kim Campbell is director of enrollment, responsible for all strategic student recruitment planning as well as working with prospective students from initial contact through enrollment.
In addition to her work at Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Dr. Campbell was a Fellow in the Trinity Health Strategic Leadership Program. She currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at Franklin University in the College of Business. Before joining Mount Carmel, she served in leadership roles at I KNOW I CAN, Cleveland State University, Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo.
A Sandusky, Ohio native and a graduate of the University of Toledo, she earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and a master’s degree in human resource development/educational technology. Dr. Campbell also earned a PhD from Capella University.
Dr. Campbell serves on the board of trustees for the Boy Scouts of America Simon Kenton Council and the Breathing Association. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Academy of Management, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Girl Friends, Inc.
Dr. Tanika Cherry-Montgomery is the coordinator of the Second Degree Accelerated Program at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. As coordinator of the Second Degree Accelerated Program, she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the program, ensuring that students have the best learning experience possible. As an assistant professor, she also teaches many of the foundational courses students take during their nursing curriculum. Dr. Cherry-Montgomery also serves on the Curriculum and Admission Committees.
Prior to joining the ranks of faculty at MCCN, Dr. Cherry-Montgomery worked for the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She also works in the community promoting health and wellness and serves on the nursing guild for the Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church.
Dr. Cherry-Montgomery is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. A native of Columbus, she earned a bachelor’s degree from MCCN, a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix and a PhD in education from Capella University.
“I'm honored to be recognized in Who's Who because it provides the opportunity for individuals from minority backgrounds to see successful people who look like them. It provides young people with role models who they can aspire to become. I love being a part of that,” Dr. Cherry-Montgomery said.
Dr. Shirley Cooley is an associate professor of nursing and coordinator of the maternal infant nursing and women’s health course. As faculty, she has served on many committees including the Faculty Executive Council, Student Admissions & Recruitment and the Curriculum Committee, which she has chaired. Additionally, she regularly manages health fair activities for the College.
Dr. Cooley held prior faculty positions with the Ohio State University, Howard University and Georgia State University in Atlanta. She has been named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing, and the National League for Nursing.
A native of Columbus, Dr. Cooley earned a BSN at the Ohio State University, a master’s degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and a PhD in nursing education from Capella University.
“I am feel honored and privileged to be featured among such a phenomenal group of achievers who are notable in their accomplishments and positive impact on others,” Dr. Cooley said.
Janet S. Sheppard is an instructor at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. In her role she guides students and directs patient care in the clinical setting, delivers simulation lab instruction and provides classroom assistance.
Before joining the College, Sheppard practiced professional nursing for more than 30 years at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She received the 2012 Excellence in Nursing Education Award from the Columbus Black Nurses Association as well as a 2015 Mount Carmel Excellence in Nursing Nurse Educator Award. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. Sheppard is a licensed and ordained Minister of the Gospel and serves at Trinity Baptist Church in Columbus.
A Columbus native, Sheppard earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Franklin University, a bachelor’s degree in leadership and ministry from Ohio Christian University and a master’s degree in nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
“Being featured in this publication is an honor that I don't take for granted or take lightly. It is truly a privilege to be recognized as a person who is making a positive impact and contribution to the ministry of nursing and caring for people's physical, as well as spiritual, lives,” said Sheppard.
