Faculty Profile

Dr. Larson is a nationally recognized expert in fostering diversity sensitivity among healthcare professionals and in developing quality nursing education programs, nursing faculty, curricula, regulations, and policies — both locally and nationally.  

In her previous role as the Assistant Dean for Nursing at Maryville University’s Catherine McAuley School of Nursing, Dr. Larson successfully managed the planning, coordination, and evaluation of over 3,200 nursing students across various programs, including pre-licensure undergraduate, MSN, and DNP.

Prior to joining Maryville University, Dr. Larson served as Director of Nursing Academic Services for Orbis Education, Dean of Academic Affairs for Chamberlain University, Associate Dean of Faculty for the School of Nursing at Kaplan Higher Education, and Director of Professional Services for HCR ManorCare. She has also served in several nursing faculty positions at the assistant professor, professor, and director levels.  

In addition to her 20 years in nursing education, Dr. Larson is a certified Parish Nurse and has participated in and led multi-disciplinary short-term mission trips to Israel, Gaza, and Honduras. She has served as a full-time medical missionary in the remote jungles of Honduras among the unreached Garifuna people with her family. She also provided relief and recovery work in East Biloxi immediately after Hurricane Katrina, supporting the poorest and hardest hit people, again alongside her family.