Board of Directors, 2017-2018
Jada Jordan, President
vnsapresident@gmail.com
Welcome Virginia Nursing Students! My name is Jada Jordan and I am the 2017-2018 President of VNSA and a rising fourth year at the University of Virginia. I am incredibly honored to represent nursing students across the Commonwealth as I serve my second year on the Board of Directors. Three of my top priorities this year are: to increase Virginia’s representation at the National Student Nurses Association Annual Convention, to raise awareness about the resources offered as well as the networking opportunities provided through VNSA membership, and to promote the ANA’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Campaign as we are the next generation of nurses. I am eager and excited to get to know many of you so please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns. I look forward to serving as your President!
vnsapresident@gmail.com
Welcome Virginia Nursing Students! My name is Jada Jordan and I am the 2017-2018 President of VNSA and a rising fourth year at the University of Virginia. I am incredibly honored to represent nursing students across the Commonwealth as I serve my second year on the Board of Directors. Three of my top priorities this year are: to increase Virginia’s representation at the National Student Nurses Association Annual Convention, to raise awareness about the resources offered as well as the networking opportunities provided through VNSA membership, and to promote the ANA’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Campaign as we are the next generation of nurses. I am eager and excited to get to know many of you so please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns. I look forward to serving as your President!
Wendy Fish, 1st Vice President
vnsa1stvp@gmail.com
Hello Virginia Student Nurses - I’m Wendy and I have the honor of serving VNSA as 2017-2018 First Vice-President. I am a rising senior nursing student at Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Virginia. I am happy to represent the many second-career nursing students who are currently seeking an RN degree. My main responsibility this year is spearheading the 66th Annual VNSA State Convention. My goals for this year are to increase convention attendance by students and vendors. I would love to see all registered schools send convention delegates to represent the views of their associations at the state and national levels. I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the year and please, let me know if you have ideas for speakers or other sources of information you want to learn more about at our state convention. You may reach me at vnsa1stvp@gmail.com - I am waiting to hear from you!
vnsa1stvp@gmail.com
Hello Virginia Student Nurses - I’m Wendy and I have the honor of serving VNSA as 2017-2018 First Vice-President. I am a rising senior nursing student at Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Virginia. I am happy to represent the many second-career nursing students who are currently seeking an RN degree. My main responsibility this year is spearheading the 66th Annual VNSA State Convention. My goals for this year are to increase convention attendance by students and vendors. I would love to see all registered schools send convention delegates to represent the views of their associations at the state and national levels. I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the year and please, let me know if you have ideas for speakers or other sources of information you want to learn more about at our state convention. You may reach me at vnsa1stvp@gmail.com - I am waiting to hear from you!
Jenna Pierce, 2nd Vice President
vnsa2ndvp@gmail.com
Hello Virginia Nursing Students! My name is Jenna Pierce and I’m the 2017-2018 Second Vice President for VNSA. I’m a fourth year at the University of Virginia School of Nursing and this is my second time serving as a member of the board. As Second Vice President, my goal is to reach out to nursing schools across Virginia and encourage them to apply for NSNA Constituency Status. I’m also responsible for working with schools to make amendments to their bylaws. If you have any questions about your school’s bylaws, constituency status or want to increase involvement at your school’s local chapter, please feel free to contact me!
vnsa2ndvp@gmail.com
Hello Virginia Nursing Students! My name is Jenna Pierce and I’m the 2017-2018 Second Vice President for VNSA. I’m a fourth year at the University of Virginia School of Nursing and this is my second time serving as a member of the board. As Second Vice President, my goal is to reach out to nursing schools across Virginia and encourage them to apply for NSNA Constituency Status. I’m also responsible for working with schools to make amendments to their bylaws. If you have any questions about your school’s bylaws, constituency status or want to increase involvement at your school’s local chapter, please feel free to contact me!
Rachel Civale, Secretary
vnsasecretary@gmail.com
Welcome VNSA! My name is Rachel Civale and I am a rising senior at James Madison University. I am the 2017-2018 Secretary of the Virginia Nursing Student’s Association. I will be working on keeping all the VNSA paperwork and meeting minutes up to date and in accordance with the NSNA guidelines. Please don’t hesitate to contact with me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have about VNSA. I wish you all good luck in nursing school and can’t wait to see you at the annual VNSA conference.
vnsasecretary@gmail.com
Welcome VNSA! My name is Rachel Civale and I am a rising senior at James Madison University. I am the 2017-2018 Secretary of the Virginia Nursing Student’s Association. I will be working on keeping all the VNSA paperwork and meeting minutes up to date and in accordance with the NSNA guidelines. Please don’t hesitate to contact with me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have about VNSA. I wish you all good luck in nursing school and can’t wait to see you at the annual VNSA conference.
Carolyn Tobia, Treasurer
vnsatreasurer@gmail.com
I am a senior nursing student at James Madison University and I am the treasurer of VNSA. I am from Southern Vermont but I love going to school in Virginia. I aspire to become a labor and delivery nurse after graduation and eventually get my masters and become either a women's health nurse practitioner or a nurse educator. Aside from nursing I love cooking/baking, and ballet.
At the national convention I attended the treasurer's meeting that gave a a better idea of how to run my role in VNSA. We discussed different types of fundraising, different organizational systems for financial information and how best to manage our budget. I also attended a session on different community health projects which was fascinating. I also attended two town hall sessions run by Mary Wakefield the former Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Health & Human Services. From those sessions I learned the importance of health policy and the importance of being involved with professional nursing organizations.
vnsatreasurer@gmail.com
I am a senior nursing student at James Madison University and I am the treasurer of VNSA. I am from Southern Vermont but I love going to school in Virginia. I aspire to become a labor and delivery nurse after graduation and eventually get my masters and become either a women's health nurse practitioner or a nurse educator. Aside from nursing I love cooking/baking, and ballet.
At the national convention I attended the treasurer's meeting that gave a a better idea of how to run my role in VNSA. We discussed different types of fundraising, different organizational systems for financial information and how best to manage our budget. I also attended a session on different community health projects which was fascinating. I also attended two town hall sessions run by Mary Wakefield the former Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Health & Human Services. From those sessions I learned the importance of health policy and the importance of being involved with professional nursing organizations.
Alyssa Williams, Breakthrough to Nursing Director
vnsabtnursing@gmail.com
Hey Virginia! My name is Alyssa Williams, and I am a junior BSN student at James Madison University. It is an honor to serve as the Breakthrough to Nursing Director for Virginia! My goal is to provide local chapters the resources they need in order to recruit and maintain nursing students while also diversifying the field. I will be providing local presidents and BTN chairs a comprehensive tool kit to further BTN initiatives. This year’s Council of Student Leaders Summit in October will feature a BTN session for nursing leaders. Additionally, the annual State Convention will provide an alternative schedule for students not yet admitted into a nursing program, but still have an interest in pursuing the field. Please feel free to use me as a resource. I look forward to working with all of you!
vnsabtnursing@gmail.com
Hey Virginia! My name is Alyssa Williams, and I am a junior BSN student at James Madison University. It is an honor to serve as the Breakthrough to Nursing Director for Virginia! My goal is to provide local chapters the resources they need in order to recruit and maintain nursing students while also diversifying the field. I will be providing local presidents and BTN chairs a comprehensive tool kit to further BTN initiatives. This year’s Council of Student Leaders Summit in October will feature a BTN session for nursing leaders. Additionally, the annual State Convention will provide an alternative schedule for students not yet admitted into a nursing program, but still have an interest in pursuing the field. Please feel free to use me as a resource. I look forward to working with all of you!
Callie Dunston, Torch Editor
vnsaeditor@gmail.com
Hello! My name is Callie Dunston and I’m the 2017-2018 Torch Editor for the Virginia Nursing Students’ Association! I’m a junior BSN student at Radford University for Nursing. Going into this year, I am excited to acquire submissions from students and teachers, along with writings of my own, to publish. Through this position I hope to provide enlightening, knowledgeable, and diverse publications regarding nursing topics and current events that can appeal to everyone. If you have any questions on how to become a published writer through VNSA Torch or Torch Convention Awards, feel free to contact me! I look forward serving you as your Torch Editor!
vnsaeditor@gmail.com
Hello! My name is Callie Dunston and I’m the 2017-2018 Torch Editor for the Virginia Nursing Students’ Association! I’m a junior BSN student at Radford University for Nursing. Going into this year, I am excited to acquire submissions from students and teachers, along with writings of my own, to publish. Through this position I hope to provide enlightening, knowledgeable, and diverse publications regarding nursing topics and current events that can appeal to everyone. If you have any questions on how to become a published writer through VNSA Torch or Torch Convention Awards, feel free to contact me! I look forward serving you as your Torch Editor!
Logan Kantsios, Member at Large
vnsamemberatlarge@gmail.com
Hello Virginia my name is Logan Kantsios and I am a junior at Radford University. I am from Rich Creek, VA in Giles County and I am serving as the Director at Large this year for the VNSA. I attended Narrows High School graduating in 2013. I am a member of the Rich Creek Volunteer Fire Dept. Once I graduate from Radford I wish to work in the Emergency Dept. and then become a travel nurse. I'm looking forward to serving this great commonwealth and you it's nursing students to the best of my ability.
This year I would love to see:
More involvement on the community college level.
More constituency throughout all the schools in Virginia.
Create a grander and bigger state convention by taking what I have learned from other states and applying them to Virginia.
vnsamemberatlarge@gmail.com
Hello Virginia my name is Logan Kantsios and I am a junior at Radford University. I am from Rich Creek, VA in Giles County and I am serving as the Director at Large this year for the VNSA. I attended Narrows High School graduating in 2013. I am a member of the Rich Creek Volunteer Fire Dept. Once I graduate from Radford I wish to work in the Emergency Dept. and then become a travel nurse. I'm looking forward to serving this great commonwealth and you it's nursing students to the best of my ability.
This year I would love to see:
More involvement on the community college level.
More constituency throughout all the schools in Virginia.
Create a grander and bigger state convention by taking what I have learned from other states and applying them to Virginia.
Megan Humphries, Historian
vnsahistorian@gmail.com
Hello! I am Megan Humphries and I serve as the Historian for the Virginia Nursing Student Association. I am currently a second year nursing student at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College where I serve as the President for our local NSA. Through this position, I plan on capturing what this organization does and presenting to our members. I'm excited to work with the other board of directors to reach out to the Virginia nursing students. I can't wait to see what other passions I will develop and pursue during my time as the Historian for the VNSA!
vnsahistorian@gmail.com
Hello! I am Megan Humphries and I serve as the Historian for the Virginia Nursing Student Association. I am currently a second year nursing student at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College where I serve as the President for our local NSA. Through this position, I plan on capturing what this organization does and presenting to our members. I'm excited to work with the other board of directors to reach out to the Virginia nursing students. I can't wait to see what other passions I will develop and pursue during my time as the Historian for the VNSA!
Sara Kendle, Director of Public Relations
vnsapr@gmail.com
Hi! I am Sara Kendle and I am currently a senior nursing student at Longwood University. I am so excited to participate in VNSA as a member of the Board of Directors! I have been attending this conference with my college's NSA organization for 3 years. I always have a great time at them and I figured what better way to continue my involvement with NSA than to run for a position on the board. As Director of Public Relations, I am the face behind our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and I'm also the person managing ourwebsite. I have always had a passion for social media and public relations so I'm very glad I get to put my skills to work for VNSA this year. I can't wait to hear from all of our constituents on our social accounts! Be on the lookout for updates!
vnsapr@gmail.com
Hi! I am Sara Kendle and I am currently a senior nursing student at Longwood University. I am so excited to participate in VNSA as a member of the Board of Directors! I have been attending this conference with my college's NSA organization for 3 years. I always have a great time at them and I figured what better way to continue my involvement with NSA than to run for a position on the board. As Director of Public Relations, I am the face behind our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and I'm also the person managing ourwebsite. I have always had a passion for social media and public relations so I'm very glad I get to put my skills to work for VNSA this year. I can't wait to hear from all of our constituents on our social accounts! Be on the lookout for updates!
Katie Retan, Graduate Consultant
vnsagraduateconsultant@gmail.com
Welcome VA nursing students. I am the Graduate Consultant for VNSA this year. My main focus will be to provide insight and guidance to the new board as they make decisions and prepare for the upcoming state convention. With previous experience on the board I hope to help make this year a great success. VNSA is a wonderful opportunity to make connections and develop more skills for the future. Consider running for a position at the upcoming convention! Please email me with any questions or concerns for post-graduation life. Good luck!
vnsagraduateconsultant@gmail.com
Welcome VA nursing students. I am the Graduate Consultant for VNSA this year. My main focus will be to provide insight and guidance to the new board as they make decisions and prepare for the upcoming state convention. With previous experience on the board I hope to help make this year a great success. VNSA is a wonderful opportunity to make connections and develop more skills for the future. Consider running for a position at the upcoming convention! Please email me with any questions or concerns for post-graduation life. Good luck!
Sandra Annan, Faculty Advisor
annals@jmu.edu
annals@jmu.edu
Advisory Council
Chelsea Hull
Jesseca White
Tianna Groulx
Jesseca White
Tianna Groulx
