Perkins is an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and has been a registered nurse at UPMC Cole in Coudersport, Pa., since 2010.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Mansfield University (2010), a Master of Science in nursing leadership and administration from Mansfield (2013), and a Ph.D. in nursing education from Capella University (2016).
“We’re looking forward to working with Connie as a new director in our Health Professions initiatives,” said Dr. Doug Pisano, dean of the School of Health Professions. “Connie has the drive, enthusiasm and necessary background to maintain the momentum of our growing school.”
Perkins, a 2006 graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, was also an adjunct faculty member at Alfred State (2011-2013) and has been a faculty member for Kaplan Test Prep since 2015.
“I’m looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to grow new nursing professionals to support the surrounding communities and meet client needs,” Perkins said.
St. Bonaventure hopes to begin offering a nursing program in the fall of 2019.
Perkins lives in Shinglehouse with her husband, Kayle, and daughter, Rubianne.
The university’s decision to add an undergraduate degree program in nursing was validated in December when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a requirement that nurses in New York must earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure.
In May, the university announced that it had hired Dr. Keith Young to develop a program in physician assistant studies. St. Bonaventure is also in the process of recruiting a director to develop a program in occupational therapy.
St. Bonaventure established a School of Health Professions in the fall of 2016, hired Pisano in June of 2017 as dean of the school, and now offers two undergraduate majors: health science and public health.
