Faulkner University and the College of Health Sciences is pleased to welcome the new Director of Nursing, Dr. Shellye Vardaman. Hired in March as a consultant, Vardaman has over 23 years of service as a nursing educator and is now leading College of Health Sciences’ Nursing Program.
“I have both a strong clinical and academic background,” Vardaman said. “I love seeing the lightbulb moments that come for my students. I have worked with students in every phase of their nursing journey and I love watching them as their careers blossom and seeing the difference they are making in their patients’ lives. I just love being a part of growing the next generation of nurses and seeing the face of the nursing profession change as we grow to become the best advocates for our patients.”
Vardaman was working at Troy University, where she has served in various roles, including lab coordinator, RN Mobility Coordinator, and graduate faculty member. She came to Troy to work alongside her husband, who serves as Associate Provost for Academic Support.
Vardaman earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, her master’s from Troy University and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Tyler. Before coming to Troy to teach, she was working at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama. The transition to Faulkner was one she felt the Lord was leading her to do.
“I believe God sent me this way. I received a call from Faulkner to help them with the growing College of Health Sciences,” Vardaman said. “I talked with Dr. Rampersad and the next Sunday my church had a sermon on 1 Corinthians 12, which talks about service and sacrifice, and I knew coming to Faulkner was where I needed to be.”
“I love a new challenge and really enjoy accreditation,” she added. “I’ve been doing that for 12 years and the promise of being a part of the new programs and growth at Faulkner’s College of Health Sciences is appealing.”
Vardaman joined the College of Health Sciences in a full-time capacity beginning January 2025.
A stellar professional in her field, Vardaman has 18 peer-reviewed publications, authored 2 book chapters and 17 chapters of supplemental materials for classroom and nursing laboratory teaching, and has written articles for professional newsletters, with an additional 4 manuscripts currently in review.
Vardaman is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Nurse Executive -Advanced and as a medical-surgical nurse. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing.
Vardaman is a founding member of the National Consortium of Academic Nurse Educators, currently a member of the Board of Directors and was elected Vice President. Dr. Vardaman is committed to nursing accreditation and brings a wealth of accreditation knowledge to the College of Health Sciences, serving as a peer evaluator and member of the Evaluation Review Panel for ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). She has served two stints on the Board of Commissioners for the ACEN.