Dr. Aaron has served as Chancellor of St. John’s College of Nursing since June, 2016. Dr. Arron came to St. John’s from Mennonite College of Nursing where she taught gerontological nursing and her research focus is the self- care of caregivers of persons with dementia.
Since joining St. John’s College located in Springfield, Dr. Aaron has created a mentoring program for high school students to engage in an early look into a career in nursing. The Nursing Pipeline Preparatory Program (NP3) will recruit for the fourth cohort this year. Dr. Aaron developed a continuing education program for health care workers and nursing students with the use of a mobile simulation unit. The mobile simulation unit is the first one in the state of Illinois.
Learning though simulation promotes safety not only in nursing, but for other members of the healthcare team. Dr. Aaron has expanded the footprint of St. John’s College by receiving accreditation approval from Accreditation Center for Nursing Education (ACEN) and the Higher Learning Commission for an additional site on the Greenville University Campus.
The additional site provides access to nursing education in a rural part of the state. During Dr. Aaron’s leadership the nursing program has grown to offer graduate programs including Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership Administration, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Dr. Aaron serves on the Board of Helping Hands which is a supportive organization for the homeless population, Zonta International, and chairs the Hospital Sisters Health System Diversity Equity and Inclusion subcommittee for increasing workforce diversity.
Dr. Aaron is committed to growing the nursing workforce by creating access to all students, while creating a safe and supportive learning environment.