Carol Highsmith

Her name is Carol Highsmith, and she is a Nurse Educator in the College of Health & Human Services in the School of Nursing for the past 19 years. She is the Course Coordinator for NSG 398. She has been a nurse for 42 years. Her specialty area is Community and Public Health and Health Policy.
Hobbies: She enjoys family time, socializing with others, reading, writing, traveling, gardening, flowers, and cooking.
She looks forward to getting to know faculty, staff and students and sharing her enthusiasm for population health, finance, and health policy.

"When you're surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible."

— Howard Schultz

Education

Associate of Science in Nursing, Southeastern Community College
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Master in Public Administration, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Nursing Education Post Masters Certification, University of North Carolina Wilmington
EdD in Educational Leadership, Fayetteville State University

Specialization in Teaching

NSG 316 Professional Nursing Practice for BA Nurses
NSG 398 Health Policy, Course Coordinator and Faculty
NSG 415 Research in Nursing
NSG 430 Population and Public Health
NSG 593 Health, Finance Policy, Nurse Education

Research Interests

Chronic Disease Management and Prevention
Dissertation Topic: Highsmith, Carol. Academic Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Available Services for Students with Type 1 Diabetes at Higher Education Institutions (Under the direction of Linda Wilson-Jones, Ph.D.)
Highsmith, C. N. (Principal). (September 2023 - September 2028). "Mental Health Community Outreach Program Grant," Sponsored by New Hope CDC/New Beginning Christian Church/New Hanover County, Local, $81,000.00. (Community Engagement: New Hope CDC and New Hanover County)
Poster Presentation: "Highsmith, C. N. (May 2024). American College Health Association Annual Conference, "“Academic Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Available Services for Students with Type 1 Diabetes at Higher Education Institutions”," American College Health Association, Atlanta, Ga. (Community Engagement: ACHA Health Promotion Section)
UNCW AT NURSES NIGHT AT THE LEGISLATION MAY 2024
Recent article published 2/2025: "Creating Seamless Transitions to Manage Type 1 Diabetes in Emerging Adult College Students"

Professional Service

Medical-Surgical Nursing, ICU and ER for 3 years
Home health Care for 2 years
Local Public Health Department roles for 17 years (Nursing Director, Supervisor and Assistant Clinical Supervisor Maternal Health Nurse Coordinator, Adult Health Public Health Nurse II, Child Health, School Health, General Clinic, Immunizations, Family Planning Clinic, worked with the Sanitarians and with Preceptors
Women's Health Nurse Consultant II with the NC Department of Health and Human Services in 22 Coastal and Southeastern North Carolina counties
Nurse Educator at UNCW for 18 years.
Administration Member, American College Health Association. (January 21, 2021 - Present)
Member, American Nursing Association. (June 2016 - Present)
Membership, Sigma Theta Tau International. (November 5, 2009 - Present)

Community Engagement

Community and Public Health
Community Development
Health Policy
Mental Health
Grant Writing
COVID 19
Quality Improvement in Public Health with Columbus County Health Department
DEEP (Diabetes Empowerment Education Program) Program with Novant

Honors & Awards

2024-2025 Quality Matters Fellows
Faculty recognized by May 2025 Graduating Seniors, Division of Student Affairs. (April 22, 2025)
Quality Matters Peer Reviewer (December 14, 2024)