Gardner-Webb Faculty Members Achieve Promotions and Tenure

Seven Receive New Titles and Five Earn Tenure

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.— Gardner-Webb University officials recently announced promotions for seven faculty members and tenure for five. Promotions and tenure are awarded after an extensive application and review process that includes evaluations by the appropriate dean or department chair, the provost, and the president.

“It’s a milestone in every faculty member’s career to receive tenure and to receive a promotion,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Aubrey noted. “I congratulate each of our faculty members for their success in achieving this milestone. And I thank them for their fine work for our institution and for our students.”

Achieving promotion and tenure recognizes teaching excellence, productive scholarship, creativity, participation in university activities, guidance and counseling of students and leadership in student activities. The honor also considers the candidate’s contribution to GWU’s mission and institutional strategic goals.

“When our faculty are successful, our students clearly benefit,” explained Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs. “Scholarly productivity, recognition as a leader in one’s disciplinary field, instructional innovation, and exceptional mentoring are all indicators of faculty excellence and they each advance our mission to prepare graduates for rewarding careers and impactful lives. This year, we recognize and celebrate the work of nine colleagues who have met or exceeded the standards for promotion and/or tenure.”  

The list of honorees follows.

Associate Professor

Dr. Natalie Bishop

Bishop was named dean of Dover Library in February 2023. She came to Gardner-Webb in 2007 as instruction librarian and began serving as university archivist in 2010. In this position, she has helped leverage the archive collection for teaching, scholarship, and fundraising. A key focus of her preservation strategy is digitization projects, such as the Fay Webb Gardner Collection and Kings Mountain Baptist Association Collection, which allow the library to expose historic collections to a broader audience.

Bishop earned a Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction from GWU, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Wingate (N.C.) University.

Jamie Camp

Camp is associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. He earned his Master of PA Studies at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and his Bachelor of Science in environmental biology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. His clinical practice experience is in family medicine. He is licensed as a North Carolina PA and is a member of the American Academy of PAs and the North Carolina Medical Society.

Dr. Ashley Isaac-Dockery (tenure)

Isaac-Dockery is associate professor of nursing. She received her post-doctoral FNP Certificate from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Gardner-Webb. She has a Master of Science in Nursing-Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from UNC-Charlotte, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC-Charlotte and an Associate of Arts degree from Gaston College in Dallas, N.C. Her clinical experience is in pain management as an ANP and emergency room as a Registered Nurse (RN). She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society in Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, North Carolina Nurses Association and American Nurses Association.

Dr. Meredith Rowe (tenure)

Rowe is associate professor of biology. She earned her Ph.D. in molecular medicine and translational science from Wake Forest University and has a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. Her areas of interest are translational science and osteoarthritis. She teaches human biology, anatomy and physiology, cell biology and immunology.

Dr. Yvonne Smith (tenure)

Smith is associate professor of nursing and coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. She has her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Gardner-Webb and received her Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC-Greensboro. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, N.C. Her clinical experience is in adult and adolescent severe mental health/psychiatric disorders, substance abuse/addiction treatment, mental health crisis intervention, case management for the high-risk adolescent population, and community and public health nursing. Her certifications include Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, Nationally Certified School Nurse, and Certified Nurse Educator. She is a member of American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, National League of Nurses, North Carolina Nurses Association, National Association of School Nurses, North Carolina Association of School Nurses and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She is an expert reviewer for the Journal of American Psychiatric Nurse Association.

Professor

Dr. Nicole Waters

Waters is dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor of nursing. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Gardner-Webb, her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from GWU. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Gaston College in Dallas, N.C. Her clinical experience is in medical-surgical, pediatrics and orthopedics. She is a site visitor for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and a member of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, National League for Nurses, National League for Nurses LEAD Alumni, North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council, North Carolina Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Dr. Nancy Winker

Winker, MD, is professor in the Department of Physician Assistant studies and director of didactic education. She completed her residency in family medicine at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., and earned her Doctor of Medicine from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Davidson (N.C.) College. Her clinical background is in primary care medicine in western North Carolina. She is certified and licensed by the American Board of Family Medicine and the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Winker is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, North Carolina Medical Society, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians and Rutherford County Medical Society.

Tenure

Dr. Sharon Webb

Webb is Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and professor in the School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education. She earned her Ph.D. from Walden University, and her Master of Arts, Educational Specialist and Bachelor of Science degrees from Gardner-Webb. She is the president of the N.C. Counseling Association and serves as coordinator for GWU Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs. Webb is also a volunteer with the American Red Cross, providing counseling for the military community and serving as the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter Mental Health Lead, consisting of 12 counties. Additionally, she has worked with athletes to help them manage anxiety and other problems that can inhibit their athletic performance.

Dr. Jeff Hamilton

Hamilton is associate professor in the College of Education and coordinator of the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., a Master in School Administration from UNC-Charlotte and Doctor of Education from UNC-Greensboro. He has completed additional studies at the Stanford (Calif.) University Center for Assessment and Learning Equity. His professional experience includes serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and community college vice president of instruction. Hamilton’s areas of research expertise are qualitative methods and principal leadership.

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.