Assistant Professor, Dr. Lisa Nicholas, joined the School of Nursing during the Summer 2014 as a part time instructor. She has moved through the ranks from Lecturer to Assistant Professor. She strives to increase students’ engagement in their own learning, cultivate strong mentor/mentee relationships, and bring a sense of fun and passion for learning into the classroom. Dr. Nicholas is experienced in pediatrics and nursing fundamentals. She enjoys working with novice learners, helping them to grow their confidence and competence as they evolve into nursing professionals. She specializes in teaching and learning, utilizing best practices to increase student engagement and seeking to minimize barriers to learning. Additionally, Dr. Nicholas is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. She supports simulation learning for both faculty and students, ensuring best practices, innovation in education and instructional technology, and delivery of high-quality healthcare education.

Leland Rocky Rockstraw comes to UNLV School of Nursing from Drexel University where he served as a clinical professor and assistant dean of simulation. He brings extensive experience in teaching in person online and health science simulation both computerized manikins and standardized patients. Rockstraw’s 19 years of simulation expertise includes scenario designs and implementation budget and lab development. He co-chaired a week-long simulation immersion course assisting more than 300 faculty within the U.S. and provided this week-long immersion course to health science faculty in South Africa and India. He has consulted in the design of simulation centers and handheld technology integration. Rockstraw is certified in online learning and critical care alumni. He is also a member of various nursing editorial boards such as Clinical Simulation in Nursing Holistic Nursing Practice and Western Journal of Nursing Research.