Dr. Libby Mahaffey, left, and Bobbie Anderson
A current Hinds Community College dean and a retired dean were recently inducted into a prestigious national professional academy at its inaugural event.
Dr. Libby Mahaffey of Raymond, dean, Nursing and Allied Health, and Bobbie Anderson of Vicksburg, retired dean of the same programs, were inducted into the newly established Academy of Associate Degree Nursing by the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) on Nov. 5 in Dallas, Texas.
The two were among 10 inductees. The Academy of Associate Degree Nursing (AADN) program recognizes associate degree nursing educators, and others committed to associate degree nursing education, who model exemplary dedication to nursing education and practice. Appropriately, Mrs. Anderson was the first person inducted into the Academy as a full member.
Anderson began teaching in Hinds Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program in fall 1969 and in 1973 was named the program director. In 1984, after the program moved to the Chadwick Drive location as Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, Anderson became the first dean. In 1993 the first building at NAHC was named Anderson Hall in her honor upon her retirement. Anderson continued to teach including at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus.
During a time of uncertainty for Associate Degree Nursing programs, Anderson was a state and national advocate, holding numerous leadership positions. This included serving as the chair of the organizational steering committee and later a president of the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (N-OADN), now recognized as OADN.
“Associate Degree Nursing Education is a part of the fiber of my life,” Anderson said. “I willingly gave of myself because of my strong belief in associate degree nursing education. My goal in any leadership position was to lead with integrity and to role model leadership for others.”
Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Mahaffey, became dean, Nursing and Allied Health in 2005. Mahaffey began teaching at Hinds in 1982 and served as a team leader and sophomore coordinator before transitioning to the dean role. Following in the steps of her mentor, Mahaffey served on the N-OADN Board for six years, including two years as president. She also served for six years on the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Board of Directors, including four years as chairperson.
“I still strongly believe in nursing education at the community college where access, affordability, and graduate success continue to make a difference in the lives of students and in the healthcare of our communities,” she said.
As Mississippi’s largest community college, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. With six locations in central Mississippi, Hinds enrolled nearly 12,000 credit students in fall 2016. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.
Dr. Libby Mahaffey, Bobbie Anderson inducted into prestigious academy.