The program has graduated more than 1,500 nurses in the last two years.
Regis College is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Higgins, G’11, DNP ’23, NP-C, ONC, WCC, as Interim Dean of the Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing.
Dr. Higgins has served several roles at Regis since 2015 including faculty in the graduate nursing department and most recently the associate dean of post-licensure and graduate nursing, and accelerated master's program director. As associate dean, she was responsible for the administration of all aspects of the graduate nursing program including strategic planning of curriculum, faculty development, and schedule and course management to guarantee its integrity. Dr. Higgins has contributed to Regis in myriad ways serving on many committees and task forces including co-chair of Master of Nursing Faculty Meeting, co-chair of the Graduate Curriculum Committee, member of the RN to BS Program Revitalization task force, and development of the new Aesthetic Certificate Program.
“I am confident in Sharon’s ability to continue Regis’ vital work to educate nurses and make meaningful contributions to the nursing workforce and nursing faculty shortage in this critical phase post-pandemic,” said Regis President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “We are grateful to previous Interim Dean of Nursing Penelope Glynn, PhD, RN, who led the overhaul of processes and procedures to strengthen on campus and online nursing programs to deliver upon the exceptional nursing education for which Regis is known. Dr. Higgins will build upon the program’s strong foundation to form the next generation of nurses.”
“Nursing is such a wonderful profession in which there are so many pathways an individual can choose. I have been blessed in my career so far and look forward to this amazing opportunity to work with such talented faculty and students,” said Higgins.
A double Regis alumna receiving both her masters’ and doctorate degrees in nursing from the university, Dr. Higgins understands the graduate nursing program from the perspective of a student and faculty. She has taught courses including advanced health assessment and family nurse practitioner clinicals.
In addition to her role at Regis, Dr. Higgins is a practicing nurse practitioner at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston where she has worked for more than 20 years in multiple roles. She holds certifications in both orthopedics and wound care; and shares her experiences as both an RN and NP with her students. Dr. Higgins is the recipient of several Caring, Access, Rx, and Education (CARE) Initiative grants as well as the 2023 Executive Office of Health and Human Services Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Home and Community Based Service HCBS Workforce Development Grant Program.
Dr. Higgins also serves as member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Massachusetts Coalition for Nurse Practitioners, and Wound Care Education Institute.
Under Dr. Glynn’s leadership over the past year, the School of Nursing has fostered a cohesive and collaborative faculty of full and half-time members and a strong leadership team. In addition, she and Dr. Higgins revitalized the RN-BS completion and master’s in nursing leadership programs, and launched several new certificate programs including telehealth and aesthetics. Dr. Glynn will continue in a part-time role in Regis’ Nursing Administration prior to her full retirement.
