BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kathleen Hirthler, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, Director of Academic Programs
Dr. Kathleen Hirthler has over 25 years of experience as a board-certified family nurse practitioner with clinical and scholarship interests in adult/geriatric health, chronic disease management, and health care informatics. She is an associate professor of nursing at Wilkes University and served in a variety of roles in the Passan School of Nursing including as chair of graduate nursing programs. In 2018 she was recognized by the University with the President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation, recognizing her efforts in promoting programs, ideas and sustainable practices. Dr. Hirthler has developed five new graduate nursing programs at Wilkes including the University’s first Ph.D program.
In recognition of her excellence in clinical practice Dr. Hirthler was honored by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® as the 2023 recipient of the AANP State Award for Excellence in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Hirthler is a direct care provider at Volunteers in Medicine, a free health clinic for the working uninsured in Luzerne County, PA. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Sigma Theta Tau International. She serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteers in Medicine as Vice President and The Cancer Center of Northeastern PA as Secretary.
Kris Bernard, MPA, Director of University Partnerships and Student Success
Kris Bernard has over 20 years of experience in higher education, and is particularly skilled in developing effective university relationships, fostering strategic growth opportunities, and achieving results through process efficiency.
Sarah H. Smith, AMS, PCAM, Director, Student Housing Programs
Sarah Smith has over 20 years of experience in property management and maintains an active Real Estate Salesperson License from the Georgia Real Estate Commission. She carries the Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation from CAI, as well as Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM), which is the highest professional recognition available.
Angela L. Carson, MBA, PMP Executive Director
Angela Carson has over 20 years of experience working in the healthcare industry, and 15 years of experience as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She maintains active membership with Project Management Institute (PMI) as well as the Central Alabama Chapter of PMI, and holds a Master's Certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University. Following a Bachelor of Science in Global Business Management, Angela earned a Master's in Business Administration from the Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.