Home » academics » nursing » Faculty

Maria Brosnan, MSN, ACNP-BC

Maria Brosnan
Assistant Professor, earned her Masters Degree in Nursing, specializing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, at Rush University of Chicago.

When she is not teaching, Maria enjoys riding her horses, spending time with friends and being outdoors.

Courses taught: Fundamentals and Health Promotion, Assessment and Health Promotion, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology, Clinical Nursing Care, Capstone Clinical and NCLEX preparation

Jennifer Elison, RN, EdD, PMHCNS-BC

Jennifer Elison
Assistant Professor, earned her BSN from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, MSN (Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist) from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, and Ed.D. in counseling from The College of William and Mary. Jennifer is also licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Special nursing interests include: Improving end-of-life and bereavement care, researching non-traditional loss responses.
Enjoys reading, kayaking, hiking, traveling, creating chocolate confections, spending time with wonderful family.

Courses taught: Nursing Leadership and Management, Clinical section of Psychosocial Nursing

Kim Garrison, RN, MN

Kim Garrison
Associate Professor, earned her masters in psychosocial nursing at the University of Washington and has been a certified Biofeedback Therapist since 1985.

Specialties include management of the stress response, headache control, chronic pain management, biofeedback therapy, anxiety disorders, and client self-management of health concerns.

Outside of class, Kim enjoys hiking, skiing, the outdoors and her family.

Courses taught: Psychosocial Health, Capstone Clinical

Donna Greenwood, RN, MSN

Donna Greenwood
Associate Professor, earned her masters at the University of Portland, specializing in primary care of the adult and family.

Special nursing interests include community and public health nursing, clinical decision-making, nursing ethics, and holistic care with emphasis on prevention and health promotion.

Other interests/hobbies include playing with her grandchildren Haley and Trey, adding new creatures to her mini reef aquarium, refinishing old furniture, camping, and sports - especially baseball.

Courses taught: Care of Childbearing Family & Community Health Nursing

Kathy McGuire, RN, BSN


Nursing Lab Facilitator, earned her BSN from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX.

Special nursing interests are professional nursing and holistic health with respect and dignity for the human person.  Other interests include gardening.

Kathy provides technical skill support and instruction to students in on-campus clinical labs.

Joni Walton, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC

joni walton=

Assistant Professor, BSN in nursing from MSU Bozeman, earned her MSN and clinical nurse specialist at University of Alabama and PhD in nursing from University of Missouri.

Lab Coordinator: Simulation specialist, SimMan, SimBaby, Babyblue, trachbaby, VitaSim Kelly, VitaSim Anne, Mega Code Kid and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor.

Dr. Walton is certified as a clinical nurse specialist in medical-surgical nursing and is a registered Respiratory Therapist. She has an active practice in nursing research, with special interest in spirituality in people with chronic and acute illnesses. Joni is on the national research committee for the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).

Joni lives on Lake Hauser and enjoys snowboarding, growing flowers, rowing, raising quarter horses, and being outdoors. Joni is a Saints fan and loves all sports. She has four children and has been married over 25 years to her husband, Patrick.

Courses taught: Fundamentals and Health Promotion, Assessment and Health Promotion, Nursing Research, Illness Across the Lifespan II, Capstone Clinical, Professional Role: Leader, and lab courses.

Cynde Watkins, RN, MSN, FNP-C


BA in Nursing from Carroll College, 1992
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, 2006

Nursing experience: oncology, ICU, radiology/special procedures at St. Peter's Hospital, office nurse at cardiology clinic, ICU nurse at VA Montana Healthcare.  Special nursing interests: intensive care, oncology and patient advocacy in nursing.

Special Interests: Cynde is an avid reader and loves the outdoors and animals.  She and her husband have raised three boys and now share their home with two dogs, three cats and assorted fish.

Terri John, BA

Terri John
Secretary for the Department of Nursing, Terri is an alumni of Carroll College (1985) whose special interests include qigong, creative writing, reading, hiking, nature, holistic health and spirituality.

What students are saying about our faculty...

The faculty are who impacted me the most...I had a great relationship with every one of them and valued everything that they said. They are what made me who I am today and who I will be in the future as a nurse.

The nursing faculty always had high expectations for us students and I like that because I was able to rise up and meet those expectations. I feel that it will have made me a better nurse in the end.

The faculty was always encouraging and willing to spend extra time with me to help me meet my goal.

They were dedicated to each student, were always available when we needed extra help, and constantly made changes to create a better program.