Cora Arledge, MS, BSEd, RN, who was in the first cohort to graduate from the Mount Carmel College of Nursing-Lancaster campus, steps into the leadership role as program coordinator.
“I bring a unique perspective to the role, because I’ve been a student here, have served on the faculty since 2014, and have worked alongside Deidre Smith for the past nine months. I’m excited about taking over her role. I appreciate the time, wisdom and direction that she has provided during the mentor process. This experiential learning has provided insight that will assist my professional profession indefinitely,” she says.
Cora earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University in 1993 and began teaching in the school systems of Fairfield county and Lancaster, where she has lived for 25 years. After a 12-year hiatus while her children were young, she visited Ohio University to find out about obtaining the 18 credit hours she needed to renew her teaching certificate.
“Instead, I saw information about MCCN and the new campus here at Fairfield Medical Center,” Cora says. "I always had a great interest in nursing and jumped at this opportunity to obtain a BSN in a location so convenient to my family and community," but my parents said ‘why be a nurse when you could be a doctor?’ and so I pursued education instead.”
As it turned out, Cora was able to answer both of her callings: she entered MCCN-Lancaster in fall 2008, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as part of the first cohort in 2012. After working at Mount Carmel West in the Emergency Department and at Diley Ridge, she married her teaching experience with her nursing knowledge by joining the nursing faculty at MCCN-Lancaster in 2014. Cora was the clinical instructor for 205, 405 and 406, Activities director and SNAM-Lancaster adviser.
“I returned to MCCN to earn a Master of Science in nursing education. I will be so proud to be part of Commencement this year as both leadership and a graduate – I’m particularly looking forward to the Master’s Hooding event on May 4,” she notes.
Cora’s plan for moving MCCN-Lancaster ever forward is threefold:
- Being a servant leader; encourage effective communication with hospitals, college leadership, faculty and students; and be an effective coach.
- Identify and maximize student potential by providing resources, encouragement and links to college organizations.
- Assisting in developing action plans for faculty professional progression, and links to resources to improve active learning and student success.
