• 2006 - Doctor of Philosophy, Widener University, PA
• 1987 - Master of Science in Nursing, West Virginia University, WV
• 1981 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
• 1975 - Associate in Nursing, University of Charleston, WV
• 2008-2023 - Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League of Nursing
• Representation of courses taught in recent years at undergraduate and graduate levels:
• Research and Theory
• Leadership and Management Policy
• Writing in Healthcare
• Curriculum
• Healthcare Policy
• Nursing Education Nightingale Award of Pennsylvania, November 2017
• Sister Donatilla Legacy Award, Alvernia University Honor’s Convocation, April 2017
• Upsilon Zeta Chapter, Alvernia Nursing STTI Honor Society, October 2017
• Nursing Excellence in Leadership, Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta International Honor Society of Nursing, May 2014
• Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) nominee and institute participant, The Council of Independent Colleges and American Academic Leadership Institute, 2011-12
• Award Finalist for Nursing Research, Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, October 2008
• Woman of Distinction Award, Great Valley Council Girl Scouts, 2006
• Independence Blue Cross Nursing Scholar Awards, Philadelphia, PA, 2005, 2006
• Wye Faculty Fellow, Aspen Institute, 2002
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, 1992-present
• Slate, K.A., Stavarski, D.H., Romig, B.J. & Thacker, K.S. (2018). Longitudinal study transformed onboarding nurse graduates. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 34(2), 92-98.
• Thacker, K.S., Stavarski, D.H., Brancato, V., Flay, C., & Greenawald, D. (2016). An investigation into the health-promoting lifestyle practices of RNs. American Journal of Nursing, 116(4), 24-31.
• Ballantyne, S., Schreiner, M.B., & Thacker, K.S. (2016). Managing, mentoring, and motivating online course instructors: Emerging roles for chairs. The Department Chair, 26(4), 11-13. Jossey-Bass.
• Thacker, K.S., Bertoti, D., Engler, E., Hartung, E. & Symanski, M.E. (2011). Academic leadership strategies to foster personal responsibility in students. The Department Chair, 22(2). Jossey-Bass.
• Thacker, K.S. & Long, J. (2010). Family presence in final moments: A precious gift. Journal of Christian Nursing, 27(1), 140-144.
• Thacker, K.S. (2008). Nurses’ advocacy behaviors in end-of-life nursing care. Nursing Ethics, 15(2), 174-185.
• Thacker, K.S. (2005). Academic-community partnerships: Opening the doors to a nursing career, Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 16(1), 57-63.
• “Teaching Strategies for Shaping Professional Behaviors” [co-presenter], International Teaching Learning Cooperative Lilly Conference, May 20-22, 2024, Austin, TX.
• “Development and Implementation of a New Curriculum: Vision to Outcomes” [co-presenter], International Teaching Learning Cooperative Lilly Conference, January 5-7, 2023, San Diego, CA.
• “Building Bridges to Enhance Degree and Career Opportunities” [co-presenter], 37th Academic Chairs Conference, February 5-7, 2020, Savanah, GA.
• Invited Commencement Keynote Speaker, The Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences, April 26, 2019, Reading, PA.
• “Seamless Academic Progression: The Dual Enrollment Model” [co-presenter], NLN Summit 2018, September 12-14, 2018, Chicago, IL.
• “Innovative Partnerships to Achieve IOM Recommendations” [co-presenter], Pennsylvania Higher Education in Nursing Association Semi-Annual Meeting, April 10, 2018, State College, PA
• “Promising Practices Workshop: Diploma to BSN Dual Enrollment Model” [panel presenter] Council for Health Professions Education, The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, October 6, 2017, Harrisburg, PA.
• “Mentoring, Managing and Motivating Online Course Instructors: Emerging Chair Responsibilities” [co-presenter], 33rd Academic Chairpersons Conference, Feb. 3-5, 2016, Charleston, SC.
• “Health Promotion Lifestyle Practices of Registered Nurses” [presented on behalf of Berks Nursing Research Alliance], 22nd National Evidenced-Based Practice Conference of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, April 23-24, 2015, Iowa City, Iowa.
• “Thriving, not just Surviving: Effective Strategies for NCLEX Boot Camp”, Poster [co-presenter] HRSA Workforce Diversity Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health Summit, August 16-17, 2012, Bethesda, MD.
• “Academic Leadership Strategies to Foster Personal Responsibility in Students”, [co-presenter] The 28th Annual Academic Chairpersons Conference, February 10- 11, 2011, Orlando, FL.
• “Navigating the Gray Areas of Student Behavior Issues”, [co-presenter] at the Baccalaureate Education Conference, AACN, Chicago, IL, November 20, 2009
• “A System of Support for High-Risk Nursing Students: Lessons Learned”, Poster [co-presenter] at the 2009 NLN Education Summit, September 23-26, 2009, Philadelphia, PA.
• “The Perceptions of Advocacy Behaviors in End-of-Life Nursing Care”, presentation at the Nursing Research Symposium, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, PA, October 15, 2008
• “The Nursing Education Initiative: A Cure for the Nursing Shortage in Pennsylvania”, presentation representing the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation at the 2008 Teamsters Women’s Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, September 11, 2008.
• “Attitudes to Evidenced-Based Practice: A Study to Examine RN Perceptions Related to Nursing Research” Poster [co-presentation] at the 15th National Evidenced-Based Practice Conference, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. April 24, 2008
• “The Perceptions of Advocacy Behaviors in End-of-Life Nursing Care Among Novice, Experienced and Expert Nurses”, podium presentation at Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Baltimore, MD., Nov. 3, 2007
• “Advocacy in End-of-Life Nursing Care”, Crozier-Chester Regional Health Network Nursing Research Symposium, Philadelphia, PA., November 15, 2006
• “The Genesis Program: Building Early Success”, Poster [co-presentation] at the 2006
NLN Educational Summit, NYC, September 27-30, 2006
• “Campus Leadership for Student Engagement, Inclusion and Achievement: Mutually Supportive Outcomes” Co-presentation at the AAC&U 2004, Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, January 21-24, 2004
Selected Academic Experience:
• Professor of Nursing (August 2022 - present)
• Associate Professor of Nursing (August 2007 - August 2022)
• Dean, College of Professional Programs and Associate Professor of Nursing (2001 - 2021)
• Responsible for Nursing Department, Social Work Program, Occupational Therapy Department, Education Department, Business Department, Criminal Justice Department, Athletic Training Program, Behavioral Health Program, Healthcare Science Program, and Physical Therapy Department
• Facilitates strategic alliance between Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences and Alvernia University; includes the Medical Imaging, Surgery Technology, Applied Health, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs
Professional Practice Experience:
• Registered Nurse, Cabell Huntington Hospital, WV, 1975-1990
Funded Grant Projects:
• Berks County Community Foundation Grant to support Nursing Program's Summer Enrichment Program "SUCCESS Project" for incoming nursing freshman [co-wrote], August 2017 (funded $8,000)
• Department of Health and Human Services Scholarships for Disadvantages Students (HRSA-SDS) Grant #TO8HP30170, [co-wrote], July 2016, (funded $550,000 x 4 years totaling $2,200,000)
• Berks County Community Foundation Grant to support Laboratory creation in Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program [co-wrote], December 2012 (funded $50,000)
• Alden Trust Grant for Nursing Simulation Laboratory [co-wrote], March 2012 (funded $100,000)
• Department of Health and Human Services Workforce Diversity Grant #HRSA11-400), July 2012 (funded $333,929)
• PA Department of Health Office of Health Equity Workforce Diversity Grant, November 2010 (funded $5,000)
• US Department of Education #P116Z090041: Nurse Scholarship and Education, May 2009 (funded $95,000)
• PHEF and McKenzie Foundation Block Grants for Nursing Student Retention Scholarships [co-wrote]: 2005-2011 (funded $239,000)
• US Depart of Ed # P116Z080025): Nurse Retention and Recruitment, March 2008 (funded $85,460)
• Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarships for Latino Nursing Students, March 2006 [co-wrote] (funded $100,000)
• AACN Research Grant Award, SePA Chapter, May 2006 (funded $1,600.00)
• Advisor to Caron Treatment Center for the development of nursing education video/program on best practices in addiction treatment, 2021
• Advisory Committee to the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, 2020-2023
• Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Ethics Committee, 2018-2023
• Tower Health at Home Board of Directors, 2019-2023
• Home Healthcare Foundation, 2019-2025
• Home Health Care Management, Inc. Board of Directors; Chair, 2015-2018; Vice-Chair, 2012-15; Executive Committee 2006-2018; Chair, Medical Professional Advisory Committee; 2005-2014
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Accreditation Program Evaluator, 2010-2018
• Reading Hospital Tower Health Shared Governance Redesign Team [facilitator], 2017-2018
• PA Department of Education On-site Program Reviewer, 2009, 2012
• Nursing Research Council, Reading Hospital Tower Health: 2006-ongoing
• The Berks Regional Nursing Research Alliance (co-founder): 2009-ongoing
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Advisory Council, 2009-2011; Girl Scouts Take the Lead Event Committee, 2013, 2014, 2015