CTX Nursing & Stakeholder Coalition Building Summit hosted by Texas Nurses Association District 7 & Tau Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Nursing

Dr. Dawn Riess joined Texas A&M University - Central Texas in 2021 as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. She received her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1999 from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, her MSN from Grand Canyon University in 2011, and her PhD from Walden University in 2018. Dr. Riess taught at Temple College for 12 years as the simulation coordinator, classroom faculty, and clinical faculty. Dr. Riess’s interests in research range from empathy in simulation to bedside mentoring, how COVID-19 impacted nurse educators, and the effects of artificial intelligence on higher education. Dr. Riess has a varied nursing background spanning 25 years with a focus on cardiac care. She is currently teaching in the RN-to-BSN program at TAMUCT and assisted in developing and implementing the MSN program.

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Ebony is Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Master's Degree candidate and Registered Nurse (RN) with ten years and varying levels of clinical experience across the care spectrum — from clinic to corrections, hospital to home health. She is working diligently while seeking opportunities to further develop herself, both personally and professionally, and as a leader. Ebony is committed to lifelong learning, self-development, and an exceptional work ethic. She has a reputation to be a trailblazer, this is evident as an A. Louise Dietrich Scholarship recipient from the Texas Nurses Association (TNA). Presently, Ebony has the privilege to showcase her servant and transformative leadership as the District 7 President of the Texas Nurses Association, serving nurses across Bell, Falls, Lampasas, and Milam counties. She holds leadership positions as a Board Member on the Membership Involvement Committee for Tau Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and an appointment to the Policy Council Committee for TNA. These roles allow her to influence nursing policy, advocacy, and mentor emerging nurse leaders. Ebony previously served as President of the Lambda Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Temple College. During her tenure as President, Lambda Theta became a Top Texas Chapter and a Top 100 Chapter internationally of 1,300 chapters worldwide. Ebony was named a 2023 All-Texas Academic Team Scholar, received the Award of Distinction for Leadership, and the Lifelong Leopard award from the Temple College Foundation. She is a proud member of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Texas Rural Health Organization. Ebony is a fierce advocate and change agent, passionate about caring for and educating Texans and underserved communities. She has been an outspoken advocate for workplace psychological safety and reform, and has a proven track record of fostering engagement, stakeholder and project management, and commitment to clinical excellence. Her goal is to continue to pursue higher education and opportunities that focuses on removing barriers to equity and innovation while mitigating social determinants of health (SDOHs). This is exemplified by her work as an AHEC Scholar and selection to the inaugural cohort of the Texas Nurses Association Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship and her involvement in a multitude of community-based projects.

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I am a first generation college graduate who is fortunate to be a doctorally prepared and board certified pediatric nurse. My career started in rural Arkansas working at the hospital that I was born in. I was fortunate to be hired in the pediatric unit at St. Vincent Health System in Little Rock, AR after graduation. I moved to Central Texas in 2001, and became a pediatric staff nurse at Scott and White Memorial Hospital (now Baylor Scott and White McLane Children’s Hospital). In 2006, I got the opportunity to become the pediatric care coordinator at Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. This role expanded to being a unit nurse manager and educator. In 2008, I was admitted to the inaugural cohort of the UMHB MSN program. I was recruited to become a faculty member at McLennan Community College prior to completing my degree. I became an instructor in the Associate Degree Nursing program. I also came back to McLane Children’s until I started my doctoral program. I’m 2012, I got the opportunity to teach at UMHB in the BSN program. I was fortunate to serve as a level coordinator, First Faculty, Campus Core Curriculum Chair, and faculty member. I became a volunteer staff nurse for the Feed My Sheep Children’s Clinic in 2015. We travel Bell and Surrounding counties providing health care to underserved children. In 2020, I got a unique opportunity to become the Chair and Director of the Department of Nursing at A&M Central Texas. Not only do I teach working nurses, I serve as a media consultant, research, and serve our community.

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