February 14, 2022

Week three of our Black History Month 2022 feature celebrates members of the CNHP community who contribute daily to the success of the College.

Kevana Nixon is a licensed family and marriage therapist. I am not only a current student in the Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy (DCFT) program, but I also contribute my expertise and knowledge to the Drexel University Individual, Couple and Family Therapy Services clinic guiding the Master of Family Therapy (MFT) interns in promoting the mission and values of Drexel that includes expanding their lenses, especially the social justice lens. As the co-founder of Black Men Heal, I bring a relevant perspective of how to promote and engage an underrepresented part of the Black community. My scholarship efforts include recently authoring “Residential Substance Use Treatment Outcomes for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Enrolling Before versus During COVID-19 Pandemic” where my lens of working in the community as a marriage and family therapist as well as my experience as program manager in an intensive outpatient family therapy program is demonstrated.

The work we still need to do includes not only educating and having courageous conversations but adding those who are underrepresented to leadership and crucial decision-making for the University.

I lived in Nashville, TN for 20 years of my life—something that has informed in the way I help others.

Professor Tina Solomon, MSN, has been a part of the Drexel community for almost four years. First, as an adjunct nursing instructor and recently as an assistant clinical professor. She loves teaching nursing students and being helpful in any way that she can. She tries to create a relaxed environment that will foster learning and classroom engagement. Professor Solomon is a member of Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She volunteers with the youth at her local church and is a mentor to new nurses when working clinically in the field. 

As far as equity and inclusion here at Drexel and the College of Nursing and Health Professions, Professor Solomon would like to encourage diversity within the CHNP faculty. She believes that diversity makes us smarter. It encourages creativity and adds to one's perspective leading to better decision making. She also believes that seeing a diversified faculty will motivate students of color to progress further in their career paths. 

Here are some things students are saying about Professor Solomon: 

• “I passed!! Thank you so much for all of your help with Med Math this semester! I was very lost before working with you and now I am very confident in my calculations.”
• “I just wanted to check in with you this semester. It's going well and you crossed my mind. You are still my favorite professor in this program.”
• “I can't believe I am almost halfway done with my final quarter in the ACE program! Looking back, I remember how bewildered and nervous I was coming into that first lab back in Q1. You immediately put me at ease and made the material digestible and even fun. I can't understate the confidence you gave me moving forward into the program.” 
• “Your teaching was very informative, yet straight forward and your personality was always intriguing, and I appreciate that. Thank you so much for making my nursing school experience so great and really furthering me in my education.”

Fun fact...She describes herself as an introverted people's person. In the classroom she shines, when at home she enjoys relaxing, listening to old school R&B, reading books, investing in real estate and traveling. 

Denise Way, DNP, shares that a nursing career has given her the tools and knowledge to provide safe, quality and compassionate care to all people, especially our vulnerable and underserved population. “I pursued my doctoral degree knowing there was so much more work to be accomplished. Presently, working as a clinical assistant professor at Drexel University in the College of Nursing and Health Professions gives me a greater opportunity to teach students the importance of providing holistic care, meaning the mind, body and spirit. In continuing my quest for excellence in nursing at Drexel, I’ve joined the following committees: Nursing Faculty Search and Hire, Student Conduct, the Board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) the Research Grant. I also serve as a Liberty Scholar mentor.

As a current member of the College’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion board, I work to ensure students and faculty of color are given the opportunity to be successful in nursing, academia and professional leadership roles by providing the tools and resources to be sustainable.”

Fun Fact: I enjoy walking outdoors in the cold weather.