SXU Nursing Professor Inducted Into Academy of Nursing Education
Saint Xavier University (SXU) nursing professor Zepure Samawi, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, RN, ANEF, has been inducted into the National League for Nursing's (NLN) prestigious Academy of Nursing Education, which honors individuals who have made enduring and substantial contributions to nursing education.
Along with 22 other distinguished nurse educators, Samawi joined the 17th class of the Academy on Saturday, September 30, at National Harbor. The application process is competitive, and the Academy considers applicants' contributions to innovative teaching and learning strategies, nursing education research, faculty development activities, academic leadership, promotion of public policy, and collaborative educational, practice or community partnerships. Samawi is thrilled to be part of the Academy.
"I look forward to contributing to nursing education using my expertise in concept mapping, teaching experiences and research endeavors to support nursing faculty to implement evidence-based teaching pedagogies. Together, we can strengthen the nursing profession with strong, reliable education approaches that promote thinking in diverse populations and situations," said Samawi.
As a designated Academy of Nursing Education Fellow, Samawi will participate in the work of the NLN community to share ideas and insights on how to transform nursing education. Her work advancing nursing education and improving nursing practice reflects the NLN's vision to develop and use rigorous research in nursing education and to optimize international dialogue on nursing education strategies and outcomes.
Samawi is a recognized expert in concept mapping and its translation and adaptation for international applications in nursing education. She has published and presented internationally on teaching and research within the use of concept mapping methodology in Costa Rica, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Israel (Palestinian Territory), Jordan, Egypt, and Canada.
She is responsible for moving concept mapping from dissertation to application at the international level and has crafted faculty development offerings in the U.S. and internationally to help faculty develop expertise using concept mapping. She has provided nursing faculty at SXU with the tools to evaluate students’ progress and performance when concept mapping.
Since fall 2013 to the present, Samawi leads the nursing study abroad course to Italy. Her goal with the course is to provide the nursing students with a global perspective of health care, nursing practice and nursing education. Samawi is a Fulbright Scholar and Fellow and recipient of the SXU Daisy Award for extraordinary nursing faculty. Samawi has been a nurse for over 31 years and has taught at SXU for 24 years. She has greatly enjoyed inspiring her students.
"My favorite thing about nursing is the transformation of knowledge of my nursing students. I strive to inspire my nursing students to impact nursing practice. In my classroom, I educate my students to become compassionate, competent and professional nurses. My students see in me the quality of professional commitment to lifelong learning and my dedication to nursing education," said Samawi.
In the future, Samawi plans to continue to train faculty to use concept mapping and collaborate together on research and presentation.