Five join College of Education & Health Professions faculty
August 15, 2023
Each of the three academic units in Columbus State University’s College of Education & Health Professions welcomes new faculty to its teaching ranks for the 2023-24 academic year. The college’s five new faculty members are among the 17 new faculty joining the university faculty.
“We are delighted to welcome five new faculty members to our College of Education & Health Professions community,” said Dr. Margie Yates, the college’s interim dean. “These amazing educators bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of counselor education, nursing and kinesiology. Their diverse backgrounds and knowledge will enrich our programs and benefit our students in countless ways as they strive to ensure our students’ success and engage with our community.”
Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences
Loraine Hill, Ph.D. ’13, ’15 begins her tenure this fall as an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences. She holds an associate of arts in kinesiology from Laredo Community College, both
a bachelor’s degree and master’s in education in health and physical education from
Columbus State University, and a doctoral degree in kinesiology from Auburn University.
She has taught academic courses and tennis previously at Auburn University and Columbus
State. As a two-time Columbus State graduate, Hill also competed collegiately as a
member of the 2011 Lady Cougars women’s tennis team. Her teaching focus will include
health-related fitness and high school health courses in addition to supervising student-teachers.
School of Nursing
Shelby Barson, MSN-NE, CCRN began her tenure in February 2023 as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. She holds an associate degree in education from Snead State Community College, a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Alabama, and a master of science in nursing with a nursing education specialization from Purdue University Global. She has taught previously as an adjunct instructor at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in addition to a professional nursing career that has spanned seven years and has included hospital-based experience in Alabama, Georgia and Maryland. Her teaching will include topics such as critical care nursing and professional development in nursing.
Ashley Boswell, MSN, RN ’15 began her tenure in February 2023 as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. She holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from Columbus State in addition to an associate of science in nursing degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College and a master of science in nursing with a nursing education specialization from Capella University. She has taught previously as a clinical associate at Auburn University in addition to a professional nursing career that has spanned eleven years and has included both clinical and hospital-based care. Her teaching will include topics such as applied pathophysiology in nursing, nursing pharmacology, and female health assessment.
Nickelow Morrison, MSN, DNP ’09 began her tenure as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing during the 2022-23 academic year. She holds a bachelor of nursing degree from Columbus State University in addition to master of nursing and doctor in nurse practitioner degrees she earned at the Georgia College and State University. She is also a registered nurse and certified medical surgical registered nurse. Her teaching experience includes roles at both Columbus State and Georgia College and State University, and her current teaching focus includes pharmacology, dosage calculations, pathophysiology, critical care, and medical-surgical nursing. She continues working at the bedside with patients and orienting new nurses to the hospital setting.
Department of Teacher Education, Leadership & Counseling
Summer Perry begins her tenure this fall as an assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education, Leadership & Counseling. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychology at Tuskegee University, and both a master of education and master of science in school counseling at Mercer University, and holds the National Certified Counselor designation from the National Board for Certified Counselors. She will soon complete a doctorate in counselor education and supervision at the University of Georgia. She has previously guest lectured at the University of Georgia and Clark Atlanta University. Her teaching will focus on school counseling, counseling skills and counseling theory.
For a directory of and information about Columbus State University’s faculty and staff, visit columbusstate.edu/profiles.
Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729,
mtullier@columbusstate.edu