Dr. Carithers joined the College in 2017 as the Assistant Dean for the Kearney Division. Prior to moving to Nebraska, she has served as a Nurse Practitioner Program Director and DNP Program Director. She has practiced in several clinical areas that include pediatric intensive care, acute care, and primary care; parenting skills coordinator; and mother-baby home health. In addition to serving the pediatric population, she has practiced as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in the inpatient and outpatient setting and as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Dr. Carithers teaches in the graduate program and serves as a DNP project advisor for students in central Nebraska and surrounding communities. She is passionate about interprofessional education and collaborative practice and workforce development including diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has been in academia since 2002 and enjoys teaching and mentoring students and facilitating faculty and staff development.