A Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing faculty member was recognized by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) for her outstanding contributions to nursing education.
Dr. Kathryn Handy was one of 35 nursing faculty members across the state to receive MHEC’s Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Award. Award recipients were chosen for demonstrating excellence in their role as a nurse faculty member in five categories, including excellence in teaching, impact on students, engagement, innovation in education and technology, and contributions to nursing education.
“From an administrative standpoint, Kathryn’s purposeful leadership style ensures that NDMU’s nursing programs maintain a consistent standard of quality and excellence,” said Dr. Kathleen Wisser, dean of the School of Nursing. “With a quiet and influential demeanor, Kathryn is attentive to day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency, fairness, and consistency. Her tireless and determined engagement speaks volumes about her commitment to the School of Nursing and NDMU as a whole.”
Originally hired as an assistant professor in August 2017, Dr. Handy is currently the associate dean of undergraduate and graduate programs, and an associate professor in the School of Nursing. She teaches a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses in traditional face-to-face, hybrid, and online settings, she serves as a new nurse educator faculty mentor, and she is additionally a member of NDMU’s Faculty Senate. Outside of NDMU, Dr. Handy also continues to work as a part-time registered nurse in the surgical setting and interventional pain management.
Dr. Handy earned the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator certification in 2023, recognizing her for excellence in education. She is also a 2019 graduate of the competitive, yearlong Nurse Leadership Institute with the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The fellowship prepares nurse leaders to collaborate on efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Maryland.
MHEC’s Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Awards are supported through funding provided by Maryland’s Nurse Support Program II, an initiative which focuses on expanding the capacity to educate nurses through increasing faculty and strengthening nursing education programs at state institutions.
