School of Nursing expands leadership

New associate dean role to provide leadership in advancing the mission of SON.

The School of Nursing at USCA has selected Dr. Sonya Edwards to serve in the newly created role of associate dean of SON. 

In this role, Edwards will provide leadership in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the School of Nursing and USCA. She will work closely with the dean, faculty, staff, students and external partners to support academic excellence, ensure program quality and promote innovation in nursing education.

“I am most looking forward to expanding my impact beyond the classroom by supporting faculty, strengthening student success initiatives and contributing to program growth,” Edwards said. 

The creation of the associate dean role comes at a time of continued success for the School of Nursing. The program boasts a 95 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025, exceeding both national and South Carolina state averages, and a 100 percent employment or graduate school placement rate within six months of graduation and licensure.

“Several key factors led the School of Nursing to establish this role at this time. Over the past two academic years, the school has experienced remarkable enrollment growth, driven largely by intentional recruitment strategies and the successful launch of the Direct Admission Pathway,” said Dr. Katie Chargualaf, dean of the School of Nursing. “This rapid expansion increased both the size and complexity of our student body, creating new demands for academic support and program coordination.”

In addition, the Peer Ambassador for Student Success (PASS) Program has become an essential component for the School of Nursing efforts to promote student retention and progression. “By providing tailored academic support and mentoring, PASS plays a critical role in preparing students to graduate and enter the nursing workforce at a time when the need for qualified nurses remains significant. As the program has expanded, so has the need for stronger oversight, structure and leadership,” Chargualaf said.”

Edwards brings more than 20 years of professional nursing experience from institutions including Carolina Medical Center University, St. Joseph Mercy, the University of Michigan, Trinity Hospital, Doctors Hospital and Aiken Technical College.

She joined USCA in 2022 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor in 2024.

With her new appointment, Edwards plans to continue serving as an assistant professor within the nursing program. “This will help me stay involved in teaching and clinical education. It is also important to stay up to date on evidence-based practice to incorporate into the lecture,” she said. 

As the School of Nursing prepares for reaccreditation in October of 2026, Chargualaf emphasized that a key component of the reaccreditation process is demonstrating that the curriculum is current, relevant, and of the highest quality, ensuring that graduates are fully prepared for safe and competent clinical practice.

“This role directly contributes to that goal by supporting ongoing curriculum review, monitoring alignment with national standards and reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement,” Chargualaf said. “Dr. Edwards actively reviews and refines the school’s processes to ensure alignment with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2021 Essentials, strengthening competency-based education, evaluating learning outcomes, and documenting how the curriculum meets each Essential, key components of a successful accreditation review.”

In addition, Edwards will also serve as a key representative of the school during the accreditation site visit, helping provide clarity, consistency, and confidence as faculty, staff and accreditors engage in dialogue about our programs.

Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University in Downers Grove, Illinois.

In addition to her academic credentials, she has published in scholarly journals and served on several nursing retention and recruitment committees at USCA. 

For more information, contact us at news@usca.edu.