Four faculty members who have just received notice of their promotions within the college.
Megan Heskett, MSN, RN, APRN, has been promoted to Instructor II. Heskett has a long history with USF going back to 2013, when she began as a research assistant before earning her MSN. She's been teaching at the college for seven years. Heskett also was a recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Faculty in 2023. She's currently working to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Ayesha Johnson, PhD, MS, DipEd, has been promoted to Associate Professor. In 2008, Johnson started at USF as a research and teaching assistant, and instructor. She left the university to spend time in the public health sector with the Florida Department of Health doing research for agency strategic planning. She returned to USF as an assistant professor for the College of Nursing in 2020.
Christina Cardy, DNP, AGACNP-BC, has been promoted to Associate Professor. Since joining USF in 2016, she has served in both the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and the College of Nursing, where she is recognized as a dedicated clinician, educator, and academic leader. A board-certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Cardy has led multiple initiatives across USF Health and, since 2021, has served as Concentration Director for the AGACNP program. Her promotion reflects her commitment to advancing nursing education, supporting student success, and strengthening the future of advanced practice nursing.
Alicia Rossiter, DNP, APRN, FNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, has earned the title of full Professor. USF has been Rossiter’s second home since 1996, when she earned her MS in nursing from USF and then her DNP in 2015. Her military experience has the been the impetus behind her research and scholarly work at USF focused on improving health outcomes in servicemembers, Veterans, and military families. She has published dozens of article as well as co-authored a first of its kind book, Caring for Veterans and their Families: A Guide for Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals. Dr. Rossiter is the College of Nursing Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs and has been the director of the Veteran to BSN pathway program, which helps military medics and corpsmen obtain nursing degrees, since 2014.