UNC Charlotte School of Nursing Welcomes Dr. Kelly Powers as the Belk Distinguished Scholar
The UNC Charlotte School of Nursing proudly announces Dr. Kelly Powers, Associate Professor, as the new Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Scholar on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Dr. Powers was selected after a rigorous national and international search conducted over the past year and a half. Her appointment reflects the collaborative efforts of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) faculty, School of Nursing (SON) faculty, and the SON search committee, in partnership with the search firm Korn Ferry.
Meet Dr. Kelly Powers
Kelly Powers, PhD, RN, CNE, FNAP, has been a dedicated faculty member at UNC Charlotte since 2008. She teaches in the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, with a focus on mentoring DNP students in scholarly projects, preparing MSN students for nurse educator roles, and fostering interprofessional collaboration among graduate students. As a Certified Nurse Educator, Dr. Powers has a strong interest in interprofessional education (IPE) and has developed a graduate-level IPE course that brings together students from nursing, social work, and other programs within the College of Health and Human Services. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the North Carolina Interprofessional Education Leaders Collaborative (NC-IPELC).
Dr. Powers’ contributions to nursing research and scholarship are notable. Her research focuses on simulation-based and interprofessional interventions that enhance nursing practice, improve care quality, and optimize health outcomes. She has secured funding to support her research, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and presented her findings at regional, national, and international conferences. She also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Professional Nursing and Dimensions in Critical Care Nursing. Within the School of Nursing, Dr. Powers co-chairs the Academy for Clinical Research and Scholarship (ACRS).
Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Powers gained diverse clinical experience as a Registered Nurse, working in critical care, emergency, medical/surgical, and rehabilitation settings. Her commitment to excellence in nursing education and research led to her induction as a Distinguished Scholar Fellow of the National Academies of Practice in 2024.
A Vision for Excellence in Nursing Research
In her new role as the Belk Distinguished Scholar, Dr. Powers will spearhead initiatives to elevate research, teaching, and community engagement within the School of Nursing. With UNC Charlotte on track to achieve R1 research status by 2025, Dr. Powers’ leadership will be instrumental in advancing the School’s research funding efforts, fostering interprofessional collaborations, and guiding the Academy for Clinical Research and Scholarship (ACRS) into its next chapter.
The UNC Charlotte School of Nursing is excited to embark on this new phase of research and innovation under Dr. Powers’ guidance. Her expertise and dedication position the School to continue making significant strides in improving healthcare outcomes through cutting-edge research and education.