Allyssa Harris Shares Vision for Diversity in Nursing at Matsuda Speaker Event
Dr. Allyssa Harris, RN, Ph.D., WHNP-BC, Dean of the School of Nursing at Prairie View A&M University, has a story rooted in resilience and vision. From her upbringing as the daughter of an Air Force father to her groundbreaking research and leadership at a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), her journey is one of breaking barriers and creating opportunities for others.
As the distinguished speaker in the Fall 2024 Matsuda Speaker Series at the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH), Dr. Harris shared her personal and professional insights with students, faculty, and community members. Her talk highlighted the transformative power of representation, cultural integration, and the critical role of nursing education in addressing health disparities.
Reflecting on her upbringing as the daughter of an Air Force father and her experiences navigating predominantly white spaces, Dr. Harris described how these challenges shaped her path. After earning her associate degree, she moved to Boston to pursue her Bachelors degree and eventually continued with higher education and completed a PhD at Boston College, where she built lasting connections, including with her then-colleague Dr. Holly Fontenot, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAAN, who now serves as the Associate Dean for Research, Frances A. Matsuda Chair in Women’s Health, and Professor for SONDH.
Her doctoral research on mother-daughter communication uncovered overlooked gaps in health care, fueling her commitment to addressing disparities. Around that time, an opportunity at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), an MSI, caught her attention. The historic campus sits on the site of a former slave plantation. “When I walk around the campus, I can feel the spirit,” she shared. “To me, that’s like a homecoming.”
At PVAMU, Harris integrates cultural awareness into nursing education and celebrates diverse nurse leaders. She emphasized the transformative impact of representation and the unique role MSIs play in fostering equity. “Highlight your diversity, find your niche,” she advised, urging future nurse leaders to embrace their unique strengths. Her talk underscored the importance of education in building a more inclusive, healthier future.
The Matsuda Speaker Series provided a platform for Dr. Harris to inspire the next generation of nurse leaders. Her talk was a powerful reminder of the transformative role educators and institutions play in shaping the future of health care. “This work is about more than education,” she concluded. “It’s about building a better tomorrow.”