Marie Morris

“My personal mission is to create environments for growth and learning in all facets of my life.”

Dr. Morris’ initial introduction to Mennonites was at Hesston College where she majored in nursing. After two years of service in Southeastern Kentucky she moved to Harrisonburg to complete her baccalaureate degree in nursing at EMU joining the nursing faculty as an assistant instructor in the nursing demonstration lab. Dr. Morris’ master’s degree is in Primary Nursing Care in Society from the University of Virginia and she holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Administration from George Mason University. In 1998 she was selected to participate in a CCCU Women’s Leadership Development Institute. Following this she participated in a NAWE institute, and was later selected as a fellow in the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute of 2000. In summer 2001 she participated in a CCCU leadership delegation to Cape Town, South Africa. Her research interests are centered on leadership development and creating environments for growth and learning.

Dr. Morris served as nurse faculty at EMU from 1984-1998 and as Nursing Department Chair from 1994-98. This was followed by two years as Associate Dean and Self-study Director for SACS reaffirmation. In 2000 Dr. Morris was appointed as Vice President & Undergraduate Academic Dean. In addition to her role as dean Dr. Morris works closely with the Honors Program co-teaching the First Year Honors Seminar each year. Dr. Morris will also teach a “Transitions” section this fall as part of the First Year Learning initiative.

Dr. Morris is married to Keith and is the mother of two sons; Jesse age 21 and Alex age 17. Included in their family is a cat named Sabor and a new Laborador/Husky puppy named Smokey. Dr. Morris enjoys walking, singing, traveling, reading and gardening. Sunflowers serve as important metaphor for her.

B.S., Eastern Mennonite University
M.S.N., University of Virginia
Ph.D., George Mason University

Morris, M.S. (2004). My Sweet Potato Man. In Ronald Knott (Ed.). College Faith 2: 150 Christian Leaders and Educators Share Faith Stories from Their Student Days. Berrien Springs, Michigan: Andrews University Press.
Morris, M.S. (August 25, 2002). Freedom to develop my faith. Purpose Vol. 35, No. 8 Part 4.
Morris, M.S. & Griggs, M.J. (1995). Workplace issues for Virginia’s acute care nurses. Virginia Nurses Today, 3(5), p. 14.
Morris, M.S. (1995). Lived experiences, values, and behavior of effective nurse faculty. Journal of Professional Nursing, 11(5), 290-297.

Advanced Women’s Leadership Development Institute Coordinator, June 17-21, 2008, sponsored by Azusa Pacific University, Sumas, WA.
Women’s Leadership Development Institute, Resource Leader and presenter, June 13-17, 2008, sponsored by Azusa Pacific University, Sumas, WA.
CCCU Women’s Leadership Development Institutes (2006, 2004, 2003, 2002), Resource Leader and presenter on numerous leadership topics.
Morris, M.S. & Helton, P. (October 6, 1999). Student life and academic affairs: Partnering together for a seamless transition for first year students. Presentation at Student Success Conference, James Madison University.

Chair, Mennonite Education Agency Deans & Marpeck Deans
Member Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
Institutional Representative for Virginia Network for Women
Reaccredidation Evaluator – Commission on Colleges fo the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools

Lilly Fellows Program Mentoring Grant (co-recipient with Dr. Marti Eads) $12,000, 2005
Bennett, Kellogg, & Mellon Scholarship for HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute $5,000, July 2000
Bennett, Kellogg, & Mellon Scholarship for NAWE 1999 Institute $1,500, Fall 1999
Epsilon Zeta Sigma Theta Tau Scholarship, 1993