Meet the Student Affairs Staff

Welcome to the School of Nursing's Division of Student Affairs. If we can assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Director of Student Life

You are embarking on an educational, social and cultural journey that will forever change your life. Our mission in the Office of Student Affairs is to address your needs from a holistic and non-academic point of view. We are here to ensure that you are in the best position to accomplish your academic goals. If you find that you need support, guidance, or just a simple answer to a question during your journey, the student affairs' team members are ready and anxious to help.

The Office of Student Affairs works closely with our student leaders in many capacities, such as student government and student ambassadors. You will learn that the opportunities that await you are endless, once you become a part of our School of Nursing family. Our student leadership opportunities, community service events and social activities provide a great co-curricular environment that promotes the School of Nursing and the profession of nursing.

We also work with the Office of Financial Aid and Student Accounting, to coordinate financial aid and scholarships. Through the publication of the Student Handbook, the Office of Student Affairs acts to inform you about your rights and responsibilities as a student. Our office is an information source regarding academic programs and referral services available to you as a student. Rest assured that we will be there with you during every step of this journey.

As a final point, the Office of Student Affairs directs, promotes and tracks student service learning. All School of Nursing students are required to complete pre-approved, service-learning activities each academic year. Service-learning opportunities support academic learning by promoting learning outcomes related to understanding and eliminating health disparities; understanding diversity and advancing professional values; and skills practice. Through the School of Nursing's service-learning requirements, students truly discover their leadership potential, and they experience the needs of their communities firsthand, which subsequently provides them with a sense of empowerment and accomplishment as a health-care provider.

In the Office of Student Affairs, it is our privilege to serve you as you pursue your educational goals. Simply put, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Farrah Evans, EdD
Assistant Professor and Director of Student Life
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 984-6252 | F: (601) 815-3143
https://offcampushousing.umc.edu

Project Manager

Congratulations on taking the first step to expanding your education and looking into a field with limitless possibilities! As the project manager for admissions, I am here to talk to students and prospective students about each of our nursing programs and specialty tracks. Working hand-in-hand with our project manager for recruitment and marketing, my job is to provide information about the programs offered through the School of Nursing and to walk students through the application process by informing them of admission criteria, prerequisites, application deadlines and much more.

In an effort to expand our services I set up personal meetings, perform transcript evaluations. These meetings are usually brief, but give prospective students face-to-face access to one of our Student Affairs members who can answer program-specific questions or direct them to the appropriate contact. Our unofficial transcript evaluations are an easy way for us to help students realize how close they are to becoming eligible applicants and reaching their goal of a becoming a bachelor's, master's, or doctorally prepared nurse. Links to my services can be found below.

Tara Rushing, MS, CLS
Project Manager, Admissions Counselor
Early Entry liaison
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 815-0124 | F: (601) 815-3143

• Request additional information (form)
• Request appointment (form)
• Request transcript evaluation (form)

Project Manager

We are excited that you are interested in the School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center! As the project manager for recruitment and marketing, I promote our top-notch programs in the School of Nursing and coordinate our recruitment activities and events. I work alongside our project manager for admissions, to make sure both prospective and current students are aware of the robust opportunities available through our programs.

We are recognized for our excellence and high academic standards, and I strive to expand our reach as we continue our development of nurse leaders throughout the state of Mississippi. As both THE flagship nursing school and the only academic medical center in the state, we offer a full spectrum of nursing programs and have a lot to offer! I want to share those opportunities.

In working to expand our marketing and branding efforts through connection, we have utilized one of our greatest assets. The Office of Student Affairs has developed a dynamic team of student ambassadors that work in tandem with my position to engage with prospective students. This is an excellent opportunity that provides senior level Traditional BSN students that have demonstrated high-academic standards and achievement, an opportunity to develop leadership skills and share their experiences with prospective students.

I am happy to assist both prospective and current students with any questions they may have about our programs, as well as coordinate new opportunities for the school to expand its presence. Please feel free to contact me if I can assist you.

To get more information on our programs and opportunities within the School of Nursing, please view the links below for our newsletter and Facebook page.

Brittany Vice, BS
Project Manager, Recruitment and Marketing
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 984-6262 | F: (601) 815-3143

• SON newsletter
• SON Facebook page

Self Care Instructor

As the self care instructor, I am here for you and your well-being needs. Specifically the Dimensions of self-care: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, intellectual, social, financial, and environmental. In addition to helping with your self-care needs, you can find me in my office planning activities and researching the latest with self-care and nurses or the Self-Care Lab, putting on programs and activities for the School of Nursing. 

Katie Fabian, MPH
Self Care Instructor
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 815-9273 | F: (601) 815-3143

Student Life Education Administrator

Samantha Reeves, MSW
Education Administrator,
Student Life
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 984-6213 | F: (601) 815-3143

Student Affairs Education Administrator

Shakelia McLaurin, CMHC, NCC
Education Administrator,
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Assistant Dean for Accreditation & Evaluation
School of Nursing
University of Mississippi Medical Center
T: (601) 984-6225 | F: (601) 984-6264