American Association of Colleges of Nursing Honors Leesha Simons for Excellence in Clinical Teaching

Leesha Simons, assistant director of simulation and lab skills at the Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences in Draper, Utah, has received the Novice Faculty Excellence in Clincal Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. She was honored for her contributions to developing new curriculum across multiple nursing programs at Joyce University, as well as her leadership role in the university’s maternal newborn simulation courses.

After serving as a registered nurse in various emergency and labor and delivery departments for five years, Simons began her career in nursing education in 2018 as an emergency department educator with St. Marks Hospital in Millcreek, Utah. In 2022, she joined the faculty at Joyce University as an assistant professor of nursing and was soon promoted to her assistant director position.

Simons holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing science from Western Governors University and a master’s degree in nursing education from Arizona State University.