Valera Hascup, Ph.D.

My teaching philosophy is student-centered, and the student is the center of all that I do. I believe that teaching and learning are a collaborative endeavor, and I strive to be a mentor and role model by facilitating a trusting open relationship between a student and myself. It is only in this academic environment, one that embraces the individuality and creativity of each student, that facilitates learning. As a professor, I believe that we impart as much by role modeling as we do in mentoring, and it is vitally important for the teacher to “walk the talk.” My goal is to work with each student individually to assist them to achieve their educational goals.

I believe in creating a scholarly environment, one that not only educates and motivates students to embrace scholarship, but that stimulates scholarly dialogue in class and through discussion board activities in the online environment. My extensive clinical and research experience has been invaluable in my teaching. Educating and mentoring RNs in the conduct of research, evidence-based practice, and nursing theory has been one of the highlights of my career. My clinical, faculty and research experience serve as an inspiration for my students.

• In academia
• Incivility among nursing faculty.
• Women’s health issues in vulnerable populations, primarily depression, general, and antepartum and postpartum depression in Latina and African American women.