Members on the Move

Marilyn Harrington, PhD, RN, AGNP-C is the inaugural Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and an Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Nursing (SON) in Jackson, Mississippi.  She has completed multiple diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Diversity Leadership Institute [under the leadership of Dr. Vernell Dewitty], the UMMC Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Professional Development Certificate Program [under the leadership of Dr. Juanyce Taylor, the UMMC Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer], and the certificate program from Cornell University on Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. Harrington has helped to foster positive change in the climate, culture, funding, and scholarship of, not only at the school of nursing, but at the institution level, with her efforts toward DEI. Through her passion, she has instituted multiple DEI Initiatives within the SON for faculty, staff, and students including creating a diversity library, the Diversity Book Club, and a monthly online Diversity Digest, which features current happenings in DEI across the nation.

She also has a regular “Can We Talk” session where faculty can discuss current hot button issues in a safe environment.  Dr. Harrington has been involved in recruiting a diverse student population including males and underrepresented students and has secured funding to support these efforts.  She serves on several boards including AACN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN) and the Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF). She has published multiple articles related to DEI. Her DEI efforts have been nationally recognized. Her latest recognition was from the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN) where she was the recipient of the Inclusion and Diversity Excellence Award (IDEA) which recognizes and honors individuals or organizations that create and promote diversity, inclusion and a welcoming environment for all nurses.