Dr. Kellie Griggs, a Gardner-Webb Nursing Alumna, Recognized with the Most Prestigious National Honor in Nursing

Three-Time Graduate Strives to Inspire Her Students and Lead by Example

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb alumna Dr. Kellie Griggs has received the most prestigious national recognition in nursing. Earlier in November, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. With more than 3,000 Fellows, the Academy represents nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia.

“I proudly listed Gardner-Webb University School of Nursing on the program bio as my alma matter,” Griggs asserted. “This accomplishment is because GWU accepted me as a student in the RN to BSN program and had such an impact as I continued on to complete my Master of Science in Nursing in 2012 and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2015.”

Griggs is an assistant professor and MSN-Nurse Education Program Faculty Concentration Lead at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington (UNC-W). Previously, she was the assistant dean of Undergraduate Programs and assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Nursing in Charleston, S.C.

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is an honorific society. Fellows are selected through a rigorous process that includes an extensive application that takes several months to complete. Letters of support from two sponsors, who are already AAN Fellows, must be included. Griggs’ sponsors were Dr. Linda Pugh, a retired UNC-W nursing professor, and Dr. Catherine Durham, current dean of the MUSC College of Nursing.

“Being inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing is an exciting and humbling honor, one that reflects not just my individual efforts but the collective support and inspiration of many,” Griggs reflected. “I am deeply grateful to my incredible family (husband, children, parents) whose unwavering belief in my mission has driven me to strive for excellence. My sponsors, Dr. Linda Pugh and Dr. Catherine Durham, along with mentors, friends, and teammates who have guided and challenged me—their wisdom and encouragement have been invaluable. I am aware of the responsibility that comes with this recognition—to pay it forward, uplift others, and make a meaningful difference in our profession.”

Griggs was drawn into a career in nursing because of its powerful blend of science, advocacy, leadership, innovation, caring, and the ability to positively impact lives. When she started looking for a BSN program, Gardner-Webb’s Hunt School of Nursing was recommended to her by colleagues who were alumnae and spoke highly of the GWU faculty and their educational experiences. Her friends emphasized how valued they felt as individuals.

“When I contacted the GWU School of Nursing for information, a faculty member personally called me the same day,” Griggs related. “Her passion for education, commitment to innovation, and extensive professional expertise left a lasting impression. I knew right away that GWU was a place where I could thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”

Early in her career, Griggs also felt called to help shape and invest in future generations of nurses through education. Gardner-Webb provided mentors who exemplified what it meant to support students while helping them balance school, personal, and professional lives. “This inspired my journey into education and leadership, and I see nurse education as both a privilege and a professional responsibility,” Griggs shared. “I am committed to leading by example and hope to inspire and help students achieve their professional and personal goals.”

Griggs complimented the faculty at GWU, noting they were exceptional in preparing her for the field through their focus on experiential and applicable learning, emphasizing holistic leadership, interprofessional collaboration, ethics, and personal development. “I felt thoroughly supported by faculty and mentors who encouraged me to continue advancing my education,” she asserted. “I engaged in collaborative learning experiences that expanded my professional network and provided a solid foundation for navigating complex health systems.”

Some of her favorite memories are from her time in the DNP program. Each semester begins with an immersion week on campus, where the cohort gathers in person with faculty to dive into coursework together. “These weeks were filled with laughter, learning, meals, and connection,” Griggs reminisced. “Our time together built strong bonds within the cohort, which continue to this day. I am also fortunate enough to work alongside one of my closest friends from our cohort, and as a group, we continue to support each other as colleagues and friends. These connections made my experience at GWU more than just an education—it became a community that I still cherish.”

Additionally, she appreciated that Gardner-Webb’s faculty was committed to individualized learning and makng authentic connections. “I also found comfort in the fact that the faculty prayed for their students and cared about who we were as individuals,” she stated. “This supported an environment of creative learning with a growth mindset. Faculty and staff intentionally developed personal connections with each student, making us feel genuinely valued as part of both the School of Nursing and the larger university community. I also appreciated the leadership’s focus on helping each of us achieve our professional goals. GWU’s programs are truly grounded in developing well-rounded, compassionate leaders and educators who are equipped to thrive in today’s healthcare environment.”

She added, “I continue to maintain relationships with faculty from the School of Nursing, and they genuinely care about my well-being and professional journey. GWU School of Nursing will always be my family, and I am a proud triple GWU Hunt School of Nursing graduate!”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.