Martha M. Scheckel, PhD, RN, Associate Dean for Administration, is internationally and nationally known for her transformative research and leadership to advance the science of nursing education. She was an invited to serve on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Task Force to revise the “Essentials” series, resulting in the new “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education.” She completed the foundational literature review for Nurse Educator Competencies: Creating an Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Educators (2005) and, through invitation, contributed to NLN Core Competencies for Nurse Educators: A Decade of Influence. Dr. Scheckel has served as the Chief Nursing Administrator at two universities: Founding Director of Nursing and Professor, University of St. Thomas, Morrison Family College of Health, Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing in St. Paul Minnesota, and Dean and Professor, Viterbo University, College of Nursing, Health and Human Behavior in La Crosse Wisconsin. Her experience in leadership at two Catholic Universities and her commitment to nursing education grounded in faith with respect for the dignity of the human person guides her current leadership appointment at the Conway School of Nursing of The Catholic University of America where with the collaboration of faculty leaders, she oversees academic programs from the baccalaureate to doctoral levels as well as professional programs.

Maura Wenzel, DNP, RN joined the full-time faculty as a Clinical Associate Faculty member in 2023 after having served for two years as a part-time faculty member and course coordinator in Community Health at the Conway School of Nursing.  Dr. Wenzel is a former naval officer in the U.S Navy Nurse Corps where she served for five years on active duty and three years in the Reserves.  She practiced primarily in emergency medicine in her duty stations both stateside and in Europe, and worked as a casualty receiving nurse during her deployment to the Middle East.  Her background is Med/Surg Nursing, Orthopedics, Perianthesia Nursing, but her primary specialty is Emergency Nursing.  After completing her Master of Science in Nursing degree, she practiced as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the University of California, San Diego Health Systems.  She completed her DNP degree at the Conway School of Nursing. Dr. Wenzel believes as St. John Paul II stated, “a Catholic University should (include) a serious study of contemporary problems in areas such as the dignity of human life, the promotion of justice for all, (and) the quality of personal and family life...,” It is clear that the Conway School of Nursing at Catholic University is dedicated to embodying these ideals to ensure the spiritual growth of our students while advancing academic excellence.

Mary Dixon, DNP, RN, NEA-BC brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership and administration to the Conway School of Nursing, including serving as a Chief Nursing Officer at three large healthcare systems: Inova Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health, and University of Virginia (UVA) Health. As a healthcare administration leader, Dr. Dixon is a tireless advocate for professional development to fully support the vital role nurses play in the health of patients and the community. Dr. Dixon has worked collaboratively across practice and academia on initiatives that improve healthcare delivery, patient experiences, and interprofessional team member engagement. Her work, using a stakeholder team to strengthen an RN-BSN academic progression program, increased the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses produced from 61% to 80%. She has also published/presented on topics for improved patient outcomes, including multidisciplinary rounds, patient flow, and evidence-based practice/evidence-based design. As an undergraduate nursing alumnus of The Catholic University of America, Dr. Dixon’s professional practice has been guided by her Catholic faith and education; her vocation remains grounded in her unwavering respect for human life and in service to others, especially the most vulnerable and underserved.

Patrick Maxwell, M.S.B. is a graduate of the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America.  Mr. Maxwell was first introduced to the CSON as a team leader on a graduate student-led marketing consulting team from the Busch School and so impressed the Conway School of Nursing leadership team that we recruited him soon after he completed his graduate studies earlier this year.  He has hit the ground running by updating our social media initiatives, recruiting for our school out in the Midwest where we have traditionally not recruited students previously, and engaging our best resource—our own students and graduates in the recruitment process.  Patrick is fully engaged in advancing the mission of the Catholic University of America and the Conway School of Nursing.  His leadership style is grounded in his faith and commitment to respecting the dignity of all with whom he works and who come to the Conway School of Nursing.