Nursing Program at Mitchell College Welcomes Inaugural Director

Pictured: Dr. Martha Kershaw
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mitchell College

Mitchell College recently welcomed Dr. Martha Kershaw as the inaugural director of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The first cohort of nursing students will begin in Fall 2025.

Kershaw most recently served as associate professor and chair of nursing in the Scott Beiler College of Health Professions at Daemen University. She oversaw multiple undergraduate and graduate nursing degree and certificate programs and was instrumental in charting a growth trajectory for nursing at the university. Kershaw holds a BSN from Niagara University, a master’s degree in nursing education from Daemen College, and a doctorate in education from Concordia University (Portland). A registered nurse for more than 30 years, she specialized in critical care, oncology, and nursing education.

“It is an honor to lead the new nursing program at Mitchell College and ensure that the culture of student support for which Mitchell is known carries through to this program. In addition to our brand new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab and access to our standout clinical partners, our program emphasizes academic support through several resources, including accessible faculty and highly educated nursing-specific tutors. When completing the program, our students will be equipped to provide excellent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of settings,” Kershaw said.

Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., said, “We are thrilled to have Dr. Kershaw leading our new nursing program. She is committed to celebrating and developing unique nursing students in cultivating ethical values, quality care, a spirit of intellectual inquiry, and a readiness to serve others. Her decades of clinical and classroom experience provide an outstanding foundation and model excellence for the program and our students.”

The Edward and Mary Lord Nursing Simulation and Skills Laboratory (SIM Lab) will be the hub of learning for the BSN program. In the SIM Lab nursing students will practice a variety of healthcare techniques and procedures using medical equipment and training manikins.

Several community partner organizations will serve as clinical placements for nursing students and provide a variety of patient care experiences in various healthcare settings. Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence + Memorial Hospital will be a lead clinical partner. Other clinical partners include Colchester and Waterford public schools, Shoreline Therapy Center, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction.

Admission to the BSN program is determined after successful completion of first-year prerequisites in the health sciences. For information about the Mitchell College Nursing Program, including how to apply and financial aid options, go to mitchell.edu/academic-programs/nursing.

About Mitchell College:
An inclusive, independent institution, Mitchell College believes in harnessing the power of transformation and uncovering what’s radically possible for every student, supporting a wide spectrum of diversity in race, gender, class, age, ethnicity, and learning styles. Over more than 85 years, Mitchell has developed the Mitchell Ability Model, a distinct educational approach blending a tradition of mentoring with expertise in teaching those with different learning and processing styles. Through a journey of self-discovery, learning adaptability, career development, and mastery of essential abilities, students are challenged, supported, and equipped for lifelong success. Mitchell is committed to the broader community through building strong, creative, and cooperative partnerships. Located on a beautiful waterfront campus in historic New London, Connecticut, the college is part of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and home to championship NCAA Division III athletics, Thames at Mitchell College, the SAILS Program, the renowned Bentsen Learning Center, the STAIRs program, and the Mitchell Hub for Digital Innovation and Educational Excellence. We are Radically Possible. Powerfully Mitchell.