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UT Tyler Professor Elected Chairperson of National Nursing Education Group

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February 5, 2015

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

February 5, 2015

Dr. Barbara Haas has been elected chairperson of Nursing Education Xchange, a national collaborative of doctoral programs in nursing, Dr. Yong “Tai” Wang, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler, announced.

Haas serves as the David G. Braithwaite professor in nursing and associate dean for the graduate and international programs within the college.

NEXus promotes collaboration and collegiality among Ph.D. and DNP programs in nursing. Students take courses from partner institutions, enabling students to study with experts in a particular area of research, regardless of location. Faculty address challenges common to doctoral education and partners in scholarship endeavors such as research, publishing and presentations. Participation in NEXus enhances the professional development of both doctoral students and faculty.

“I am honored to have been elected and look forward to working with outstanding doctoral program directors and deans from across the nation,” Haas said. “This group represents some of the most prestigious doctoral programs in the country. Beyond that, these are innovators and leaders in re-envisioning the future of doctoral education.

“I have four doctoral students from NEXus in the mixed methods research course I am currently teaching. Their presence in the class brings a fresh perspective and adds depth to our class discussions,” she added.

Her election starts a two-year commitment to serve as chair.

Serving UT Tyler since 1991, Haas led the development and was the initial nursing Ph.D. program director for the university’s first doctoral program. She also co-authored the original proposal to develop UT Tyler’s Global Awareness Through Education program, and she also previously served as Faculty Senate president.

With a clinical background in oncology, her research focuses on the effect of physical activity on quality of life for persons with cancer. She works closely with faculty colleagues, and with Dr. Gary Kimmel and the Cancer Foundation for Life, to conduct her research.

Haas holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, a master’s degree in nursing from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in nursing from UT Austin.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.