Dean and Professor
(334) 844.6752
wittbar@auburn.edu

Office Location
103 Miller Hall
Auburn University,
Auburn, AL 36849-5505

Phone: 334.844.6752  
Fax: 334.844.4177

Education
Ed.D., Columbia University, 1986
MSN, University of Connecticut

Overview
Dr. Witt graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1963 with a bachelor's degree and again in 1977 with a master's degree. Her first teaching position was at Southern Connecticut State College where she discovered her love of nursing education. She completed her doctorate at Columbia University where she focused on nursing education administration. From 1986-1998 she was at the University of Hartford, serving as chair of the Division of Nursing for 11 years. During her tenure, she initiated the graduate nursing program, building four different tracks including one in nursing education.

In 1998, Dr. Witt moved to Montgomery, Alabama to become the dean of Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) School of Nursing. Shortly after she arrived in Alabama, she was given the responsibility of consolidating the administration of the Schools of Nursing at AUM and Auburn University. Dr. Witt enjoys the challenge of leading two separate schools located 50 miles apart on campuses with very different climates. Currently she is deeply involved in raising funds to support scholarships and faculty research and building a cadre of tenured faculty. She says of her work, "I find everyday brings something new; I am constantly stimulated by the students and faculty to build and improve the schools."

Professional Experience
Auburn University, Auburn, AL - 9/99-present
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing

Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery AL - 6/98-present
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing

Division of Nursing, University of Hartford West Hartford, CT
Chairperson and Associate Professor - 6/92 - 5/98
Chairperson and Assistant Professor - 6/87 - 5/92

Initiated MSN in Advanced Practice Community Health Nursing. - 1997

Initiated combined graduate degree program in nursing and organizational behavior. - 1994

Initiated MSN in nursing education/nursing management - 1989

Directed homeless health care project - 6/96 - 9/97 & 6/88 - 6/93

Secured funding and clinical sites, did clinical teaching in shelters, Administered grants, supervised adjunct faculty.

Coordinated re-accreditation BSN by NLN in 1989, 1997

Coordinated initial accreditation of MSN by NLN in 1993, re-accreditation in 1997.

Courses taught: Nursing theory, education theory, curriculum development and pedagogy, health policy, practica in education and in advanced practice, undergraduate and graduate research, and health and assessment.

Supervised graduate research projects

Served on numerous university committees including Promotion & Tenure, Faculty Senate, Magnet School

Division of Nursing, University of Hartford

Division of Nursing, University of Hartford West Hartford, CT
Assistant Professor 9\86 - 5/87
Teaching and coordination of health assessment and clinical courses for RN students; participating in curriculum revision and in development of Master of Science in nursing program.

Connecticut League for Nursing, Wallingford, CT
Executive Director 10\84 - 8/86
Developed and administered continuing education programs, membership recruitment strategies, and fund raising activities. Provided staffing for Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Schools and C.L.N. Board of Directors. Liaison to State Board of Examiners for Nursing (SBEN) and to Coalition of Connecticut Nursing Organizations. Coordinated Sub-committee on Expanded Nursing Practice of ad-hoc Advisory committee to SBEN. Responsible for day-to-day functioning of the C.L.N. office, preparation of the annual budget and thrice-yearly newsletters.

Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT
Assistant Professor 1/82 - 8/84
Collaborated with the director of the nursing department in the development of a new baccalaureate-level curriculum for registered nurse students./ Designed, implemented and evaluated courses in health assessment and in research. Position also included assorted recruitment activities, setting up nursing library and laboratory, and extensive advisement of students.

College responsibilities:
College Judicial Board, 1982 - 1984
Faculty assembly, 1982 - 1984

Publications
Witt, B.S. & Heinrich, K.T., (2000) "Working Smart: Turning everyday commitments into Scholarly outcomes," Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing , 31 (2), 71-75.

Heinrich, K.T. & Witt, B.S., (1998). "Serendipity: A focus group turned hermeneutic evaluation," Nurse Educator , 23 , (4), 40-44.

Heinrich, K.T. & Witt, B.S., (1993). "The Passionate connection: Feminism invigorates the teaching of nursing." Nursing Outlook , 41 , 117-24.

Witt, B.S. (1992). The Liberating effects of RN/BSN education." Journal of Nursing Education , 11 , 149-157.

Witt. B.S. (1991). "The Homeless shelter: An ideal clinical setting for the RN/BSN student." Nursing and Health Care , 12 , 304-307.

Witt, B.S. & Bernal, H., (1990). "Using simulation with RN-BSN students to challenge nursing credits." Nursing and Health Care: The Supplement . New York: National League for Nursing.

Heinrich, K.T. & Witt, B.S. (1996). Can feminism invigorate your nursing practice? Newsletter, Iota Upsilon. 3 (1), 8-9.

Witt, B.S. (1998). Colleagues in caring: An opportunity for a collaborative state-wide research project. Connecticut Nursing News, June.

Heinrich, K.T. & Witt, B.S., What is unique about CT nurses contribution to health care? Newsletter, CT, League for Nursing, Fall issue.

Recent Presentations
Witt, B.S. (2007). Women and Leadership. Omikron Delta Kappa Induction. Montgomery, AL.

Witt, B.S. (2006). Implications of the Nursing Shortage for Alabama Medical Society of Montgomery County. Montgomery, AL.

Witt, B.S. & Heinrich, K.T. (2001, June 13). Building a community of graduate-student researchers. International Council of Nurses, Copenhagen, Denmark..

Witt, B.S., Heinrich, K.T. & McMorrow, D. (1999, June 6-9). Robert Wood Johnson Colleagues in Caring Grant Project in Connecticut. Twenty-Fourth Biennial Convention of the National League for Nursing. Miami, FL.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., Ambrozaitis, J., & McGuiness, R. (1999, May 24). Unique Contribution of Connecticut Nurses to Health Care: A Cooperative, Educational Design Toward Excellence in Promoting Productive Learning. Seventh Annual Conference for Nurse Educators in Practice Settings and Schools of Nursing. Oqunquit, ME.

Witt, B.S. & Heinrich, K.T., (1999, May 20). What is Unique About Nursing? A study in progress. Kappa Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, AL.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., Ambrozaitis, J., & McGuiness, R. (1999, April 30). Unique Contributions of Connecticut Nurses to Health Care: An Update on Colleagues in Caring Project. Managing Health and Wellness: Changing Practice-Challenging Perspectives. Tenth Annual Convention of the Connecticut League for Nursing. Cromwell, Ct.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., Ambrozaitis, J., & McGuiness, R. (1999, April 15). Unique Contributions of Connecticut Nurses to Health Care: An Exploratory Inquiry. Research Day. Connecticut Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Avon, CT.

Witt, B.S. (1999, March). What Do Alternative Approaches to Heath Offer Nursing? Address to the senior class of the School of Nursing, Auburn University, Auburn., AL.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., Ambrozaitis, J., & McGuiness, R. (1999, January 11). Unique Contributions of Connecticut Nurses to Health Care: An update on Colleagues in Caring Project. CIC Steering Committee. Wallingford, CT.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., Ambrozaitis, J., & McGuiness, R. (1998, October). Unique Contributions of Connecticut Nurses to Health Care: An Update on Colleagues in Caring Project. CIC Steering Committee. Gaylor, CT.

Heinrich, K.T., Witt, B.S., (1998, Sept. 18). Preliminary findings From the focus group research project on the uniqueness of nursing. New Horizons: Complementing traditional medicine with non-traditional Therapies. Mystic, CT.

Honors

Award for Mentorship named Witt-Haloburdo Award for Mentorship by Iota Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau 1997.

Sigma Theta Tau Outstanding Alumni award from the UConn School of Nursing for contributions to nursing education 2004.