Fayetteville State University’s Lloyd College of Health, Science and Technology announced appointments for the vacant Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Chair of the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences Department.

Jennifer Johnson Edwards, DNP, has been appointed Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Danielle Graham, Ph.D., has been appointed Biological and Forensic Sciences Department Chair.

Edwards’ educational experiences include a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, a post-master's Certificate in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from UNC Chapel Hill, a master's degree in Community Health Nursing (Direct Care Role) from East Carolina University and a bachelor's degree from Barton College. Her academic experience includes teaching across the curriculum in both undergraduate and graduate education as well as various leadership and administrative roles. 

Edwards' clinical practice experience prior to academia is in public health, specifically in the care of women and children. Her research interests include refugee health issues across the lifespan, the study of attitudes and perceptions towards refugees as well as the scholarship of teaching and learning. She is a member of the 2017-2018 cohort of American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Leadership for Academic Nursing Fellowship program and a certified nurse educator.

Graham, associate professor of microbiology, earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Fayetteville State University in 2011 and completed her doctoral degree in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2015. Prior to joining FSU, Dr. Graham was selected for a competitive NIH-funded IRACDA post-doctoral fellowship at UNC-Chapel Hill, focusing on extensive pedagogical training and valuable teaching experience alongside research. 

Since joining FSU in fall 2017, Graham has been actively involved in teaching a range of undergraduate courses and fulfilling administrative responsibilities. She is also a dedicated researcher managing two National Science Foundation grants investigating microbial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation. Graham's performance-driven approach earned her recognition as one of the "1000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America" by Cell Mentor in 2020. Passionate about fostering equity and inclusion in science, Dr. Graham focuses on inclusive teaching, outreach, and providing authentic research experiences.