Jennifer Coleman came to Samford University as a graduate nursing student, confident that her academic and professional experiences had prepared her for that moment. She has long felt called to the nursing profession, with a purpose centered on encouraging, empowering and affirming others as they pursue their vocations.

Now serving as a faculty member, Coleman values the opportunity to support students throughout their educational and professional journeys. She is especially committed to guiding students through challenges and uncertainty, helping them discern their strengths and sense of purpose. Grounded in Samford’s Christian mission, Coleman considers it a privilege to serve alongside colleagues who share a commitment to excellence, faith and student-centered education.

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD, University of Southern Mississippi
• MSN, Samford University
• BSN, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Certified Nurse Educator, National League for Nursing
• Certified Online Instructor, LERN

Involvement

• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Abstract Reviewer
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education On-site Accreditation Evaluator
• National League for Nursing, Nursing Education Perspectives Research Journal, Manuscript Reviewer
• National Black Nurses Association, Abstract Reviewer; co-editor, NBNA News
• Alabama State Nurses Association
• Birmingham Black Nurses Association, Scholarship Committee; Mentorship Program; Grants Committee
• Southeastern Diabetes Education Services

Expertise

• Nursing diversity
• Nursing ethics
• Culturally sensitive care
• Health disparities
• Children with Type 1 diabetes
• Pediatric nursing

Awards and Honors

• Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2025
• Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame, 2023
• Fellow, Academy of Nursing Education, National League for Nursing, 2023
• Trailblazer Award, National Black Nurses Association, 2021
• Visionary Leader Award, UAB School of Nursing, 2021
• Outstanding Nurse Administrator (Academe) Award, Alabama State Nurses Association, 2019
• Audrey Howard Gaston Alumni Award, Samford University, 2018
• Cindajo Overton Outstanding Nurse Educator, Alabama State Nurses Association, 2017
• Excellence in Teaching Award, Alabama League for Nursing, 2014
• Nurse Educator of the Year, National Black Nurses Association, 2011
• “Doc E” Award, Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, 2006

Publications

• Coleman, J. J., & Cortes, C. G. (2024). The power of patient- and family-centered care. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/the-power-of-patient-and-family-centered-care/
• Coleman, J. J., & Smith, V. L. (2025, August). Impacting our community with grant funding [Podium presentation]. National Black Nurses Association 53rd Annual Institute & Conference, Dallas, TX, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2025, January 7). How to write a quality abstract [Webinar presentation]. National Black Nurses Association, Johnson & Johnson Minority Nurse Leadership Program.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, October 18). Be the difference [Keynote speaker]. Alabama State Nurses Association Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, April 26). Leadership in Nursing. [Invited speaker]. Samford University, MSSON Gamma Eta Chapter Induction, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, February 19). Birmingham Black Nurses Association: Making a Positive Impact on Health Disparities & Issues of Access to Care. [Invited speaker]. Samford University, Office of Student Success and Diversity, Lunch and Learn, Birmingham, AL, United States.

• Coleman, J. J., Harvey, N. R., & Pritchett, T. (2022) Factors affecting success in nursing school: Experiences of African American BSN Students. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(2), 123-125.

• Coleman, J. J., Thedford-Zimmerman, D., Dawson, M., Harris, L., Amerson, G., Williamson, M., & Diggins, V. (2019). Helping others help themselves. The Alabama Nurse, 46(1), 7.

• Lundeen, J. D., Warr, R. J., Cortes, C. G., Wallis, F., & Coleman, J. J. (2018). The development of a clinical peer review tool.  Nursing Education Perspectives, 39, 43-45.

• Coleman, J. J., & Dick, T. K. (2016).  Nursing & Theater: Teaching ethics through the arts. Nurse Educator, 41, 262-265.

Presentations

• Coleman, J. J., & Smith, V. L. (2025, August). Impacting our community with grant funding [Podium presentation]. National Black Nurses Association 53rd Annual Institute & Conference, Dallas, TX, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2025, January 7). How to write a quality abstract [Webinar presentation]. National Black Nurses Association, Johnson & Johnson Minority Nurse Leadership Program.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, October 18). Be the difference [Keynote speaker]. Alabama State Nurses Association Annual Meeting, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, April 26). Leadership in Nursing. [Invited speaker]. Samford University, MSSON Gamma Eta Chapter Induction, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, February 19). Birmingham Black Nurses Association: Making a Positive Impact on Health Disparities & Issues of Access to Care. [Invited speaker]. Samford University, Office of Student Success and Diversity, Lunch and Learn, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Hardin, L. M., Chatman, S. H., & Coleman, J. J. (2024, January 4). Simulation theater: A faculty production to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion [Poster presentation]. Hawaii International Conference on Education 2024, Waikoloa, HI, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2024, February 19). Birmingham Black Nurses Association: Making a Positive Impact on Health Disparities & Issues of Access to Care. [Invited speaker]. Samford University, Office of Student Success and Diversity, Lunch and Learn, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J., & Lee, L. (2023, November 15). NBNA Mini Nurse Academy [Webinar presentation]. NBNA Population Health Committee Wisdom Wednesdays, National Black Nurses Association.
• Coleman, J. J. (2023, November 13). Are You a Leader or a Follower? [Invited speaker]. Herzing University, Birmingham Black Nurses Association Leadership Academy, Birmingham, AL, United States.
• Coleman, J. J., & Lee, L. (2023, August 1-6). NBNA Mini Nurse Academy [Paper presentation]. National Black Nurses Association 51st Annual Institute & Conference, The Power of Mentoring to Create Workforce Diversity in a Future Nurse Leader, Atlanta, GA, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2023, March 31). Factors affecting success in nursing school: Experiences of African American BSN students [Paper presentation]. Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and National League for Nursing, Nursing Education Research Conference 2023, Washington, DC, United States.
• Coleman, J. J. (2022, December 3). NBNA Mini Nurse Academy [Virtual presentation]. New England Minority Nurse 8th Annual Leadership Conference.
• Coleman, J. J. (2022, November 9-10). Factors affecting success of African American BSN students [Virtual presentation]. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Diversity Symposium.
• Your Best Life Radio Show (2021). (Host of weekly health education broadcasts). Summit Media Broadcasting Company

Research Areas

• Factors Affecting Success in Nursing School: Experiences of African American BSN Students