Tia Bell '00, DNP, RN-BC, CNE, has been named as the new Dean of the 
Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing at Marian University, effective May 22.
Dr. Bell '00 will be only the fourth dean in the history of Marian University’s 30+-year old nursing program, which graduates an average of 330 nurses annually. As Dean, Dr. Bell will direct all of Marian’s nursing programs, from pre-requisite to doctorate level programs. She will also oversee multiple campuses and nursing sites, including Marian’s Indianapolis campus, Marian University’s Ancilla College, and three sites for Marian’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis; Ascension St. Thomas in Nashville, TN; and Ascension Health in Oklahoma City, OK.
“We are extremely pleased Dr. Bell '00 will be joining us soon,” said Marsha Casey, senior vice president of health professions. “She brings a wealth of expertise, and she will also oversee multiple campuses and nursing sites, the nursing pre-requisite program, and ones at the doctorate level.”
Prior to joining Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing, Dr. Bell '00 was assistant dean of the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing, working alongside the dean to provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the university’s nursing programs. Prior to serving assistant dean, she served as both the online program director and assistant professor/clinical site coordinator at UIndy. Dr. Bell '00 received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Marian University, her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from University of Indianapolis, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Indiana State University.
“Since Marian University is a Franciscan institution already dedicated to the nurturing of mind, body, and spirit, it is the perfect place to continue my career as I am committed to guiding Marian nursing students as future professionals, said Dr. Bell '00.
Dr. Bell '00 has served in leadership positions for numerous professional and health organizations, including the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing Academic-Practice Partnership Task Force, the Advisory Board for the Metropolitan Indianapolis Central Indiana Area Health Education Foundation, Indiana Center for Nursing DEI Academy, and Indiana State Nurses Association Advocacy Committee, to name just a few. She holds several nationally and internationally recognized nursing specialty certifications and has received the Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, among others. Dr Bell '00 has also been published in numerous professional journals.