Board of Commissioners

Dr. Rita Armstrong, EdD, DNP, MSN Ed, RN, FAADN, is a dual doctorally prepared nursing education leader with extensive experience in accreditation, regulatory compliance, and academic program leadership. She currently serves as Dean of Nursing for the RN ADN and Practical Nursing programs at Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia, where she provides strategic leadership for program innovation, accreditation readiness, faculty development, and student success initiatives.Dr. Armstrong has led multiple nursing programs through successful accreditation and regulatory processes, including securing full approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing, maintaining Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) candidacy, and meeting all five ACEN standards during a Fall 2024 site visit. Under her leadership, RN NCLEX pass rates improved to sustained 100% outcomes, and she successfully launched a Practical Nursing program with 100% licensure pass rates across initial cohorts. Her leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in student retention, enrollment growth, and program quality.At the national level, Dr. Armstrong has served as an ACEN Peer Evaluator since 2023, participating in multiple accreditation site visits and earning selection to serve as Team Chair, reflecting recognition of her expertise in accreditation and continuous quality improvement. She is also an invited curriculum writer and reviewer for CNA I and II programs with the Virginia Department of Education and a contributor to the 2026–2027 Saunders Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies textbook.Dr. Armstrong holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Transformational Leadership and Change from St. Edward’s University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education from Chatham University. Her scholarly and professional interests include accreditation excellence, NCLEX success strategies, faculty mentorship, student retention, and advancing quality and integrity in nursing education.

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