Board of Commissioners

Dr. Karla Ross, DNP, RN, CNEcl is a nursing professional with over two decades of experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership. She has worked in nursing education since 2010, and in 2018, was appointed Director of Associate Degree Nursing Program at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. In her role at Blinn College, Dr. Ross has been instrumental in creating new program pathways, such as the Paramedic-to-RN option, and forming partnerships with universities to establish dual-enrollment opportunities, enabling students to seamlessly advance their education. Alongside her teaching and leadership roles, she serves as a PRN staff nurse specializing in oncology.

Since 2018, Dr. Ross has been a Peer Evaluator for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). She has also served as a Team Chair since 2019 and is a member of the Evaluation Review Panel. She values the accreditation process as vital for strengthening nursing programs and ensuring high education standards. For Dr. Ross, the most rewarding part of her role as a Peer Evaluator is witnessing how the accreditation process enhances the quality of nursing education.

Dr. Ross holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership from American Sentinel University, a Master of Science in Nursing in Clinical Research Management from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M International University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Ross believes in a professional commitment to nursing and advances nursing at all levels. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Organization of Associate Degree Nursing and is involved at the state and national levels with the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing, Texas Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, Texas Association of Deans and Directors for Professional Nursing Programs, and Texas Community College Teachers Association. She also represents Texas Associate Degree Nursing for the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition.

In addition to her professional work, Dr. Ross actively volunteers within her community as a camp nurse and teacher at her church. She also participates in charitable activities alongside her daughter through a local charity league. Dr. Ross loves being a wife and mother to three school-age children, and the family enjoys being involved in extracurricular activities, traveling, and attending sporting events.