— Biography from the 2023 Spring Commencement program —

Dr. Taggart joined the faculty in 1989 after working as a Registered Nursing in acute care and community settings. She served over 30 years at Armstrong Atlantic State University and the consolidated Georgia Southern University. She earned a Nursing Diploma (1967) from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, her BSN (1978) from Armstrong State University, her MSN (1992) from Georgia Southern University, and her PhD in Gerontology and Nursing Education (2000) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Taggart served the nursing and education professions in many capacities. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Georgia Board of Nursing from 1994-2000. Additionally, she was elected to the Board of Commissioners for the Collegiate Commission for Nursing Education (CCNE) from 2019 to 2021. She served CCNE for over 15 years as site visitor for accreditation and member of various committees. She was selected Chair for the National League for Nursing Diversity Task Force and served on the Southern Region Education Board Diversity Task Group. Dr. Taggart served on the editorial board for the Orthopaedic Nursing Journal from 1995-2005 and was the recipient of many grants, including the Federally Funded Nursing Workforce Diversity grant. She has authored or co-authored over 50 publications in peer reviewed journals and had invited presentations internationally, nationally, and locally. She served as reviewer for publications and grant applications for many journals and organizations. Dr. Taggart was recognized as a Visionary Leader by The University of Alabama in 2020. In 1998, she received the Recognition in Excellence in Research and Scholarship by Armstrong Atlantic State University. Other awards include the Georgia Association for Nursing Education Mabel Korsel Award for Excellence in Nursing Education in 2005 and the Georgia League for Nursing, Eba Tupman Nurse Researcher Award in 2004. Dr. Taggart’s service to the University included active membership on a variety of university, College, and School committees, as well as Vice President of the Armstrong Senate. She led study abroad trips to Thailand and China and worked with the College of Health Professions Interprofessional Committee and many other activities. For all of these and many other distinguished contributions to the department, college, university, profession, and community, Dr. Taggart deserves the title of Professor Emerita of Nursing.*