Marva Harris, DNP, MSN-NE, RN, BSN ‘99

Marva Harris, DNP, MSN-NE, RN, BSN ‘99

Alumna Marva Harris, BSN ’99, is a proud co-chair of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s Alumni Network. In her role, she aims to promote a bond between current students and nursing alums. She actively works to participate in and attend events to represent the Nursing Alumni Network, as well as seek out potential new members and increase networking opportunities and events that foster alumni connections.

“I jumped at the opportunity to join the Nursing Alumni since Florida Atlantic has been such a positive path in my educational journey,” shared Harris. “The College of Nursing’s pedagogical philosophy closely aligns with my career and individual values. I am overjoyed to transfer my enthusiasm to others in the community.”

Along with her fellow Alumni Network colleagues, Harris plans to work on growing the Nursing Alumni Network, which includes encouraging members to register through a recently launched alumni portal. The goal is to foster a stronger sense of community and allow alums to network, share experiences and support each other through events and engagement opportunities since alums play a pivotal role in supporting new graduates entering the workforce and thriving in the nursing profession.

For Harris, the College of Nursing was the springboard to her educational growth in nursing. Attending Florida Atlantic reignited a spark within her that she lost after her undergraduate experience.

“My Florida Atlantic instructors exemplified the art of caring personally and professionally, which was very impactful for me,” expressed Harris. “Thanks to my alma mater, I regained my spark. Now, I wish to give back what was afforded to me and help bolster a workforce that is yearning for new nurses.”

Driven by her passion for education, Harris obtained a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a focus on nurse education, which led her to a fulfilling career in teaching. She went on to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in health care systems leadership and a post-master's certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

“Earning these advanced degrees has enabled me to stay abreast of the evolving demands of nursing education, further enhance patient outcomes and contribute to population health through care and education,” stated Harris.

As a recent FNP graduate, Harris is studying for APRN boards and intends to work as a family practice provider and clinical consultant. Her goal is to transform health care through an emphasis on primary and secondary prevention.

“I want to improve health care outcomes by focusing on patient care and preventative education by identifying and developing resources and tools that link patients to those resources,” stated Harris.