 Dr. Acord was appointed Interim Executive Director of the Wisconsin Center for Nursing in a part time position in August, 2007. From 2003—2007, Dr. Acord served as Dean of the College of Nursing at Marquette University. She will continue as a faculty member at MU while serving WCN as Interim Executive Director. Prior to her appointment at Marquette, Dr. Acord was Dean of the College of Nursing at Montana State University for eight years and Director of the School of Nursing at the University of Maine for eight years. She served as Executive Director of the Illinois Nurses Association from 1981—88.
Dr. Acord’s leadership in professional nursing organizations at both state and national levels is significant. She currently holds the elected position of Treasurer of the Wisconsin Nurses Association and recently served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)—the national voice for the 600 baccalaureate and higher degree nursing education programs in the United States. She also chaired the AACN Task Force to articulate the baccalaureate nurses’ role, professional values, core competencies, and core knowledge which resulted in the periodical entitled Baccalaureate Essentials for Professional Nursing Practice. This landmark publication is now the reference point for U.S. baccalaureate nursing education programs and the standard by which the national accrediting body, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, reviews programs for new or continued professional accreditation. |
Prior to her leadership positions in nursing education, Dr. Acord served as Chairperson of both the American Nurses Association (ANA) Economic and General Welfare Commission and the Congress on Economics as well as in other leadership positions at ANA and/or state nurses associations.
Dr. Acord received her baccalaureate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her Master's and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Her clinical specialty area is pediatric nursing. She has been the recipient of several program grants throughout her career. She is published—most recently on academic leadership and has made numerous presentations locally, nationally and internationally.
Lea Acord RN, PhD
Interim Executive Director
Wisconsin Center for Nursing
lea.acord@marquette.edu
tel. 414-288-3821 (work)
tel. 414-507-7234 (cell) |
