Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences is proud to welcome new faculty members for the 2025-26 academic year.
APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
Brad Cannell
Eleanor & Murray Zoota Endowed Professor in Neurodegenerative Research; Associate
Dean for Research
Cannell is an accomplished epidemiologist and gerontologist, with previous experience
that includes teaching eight courses at four universities, authoring textbooks and
presenting widely on aging-related research and statistical methods. His funded research
related to detecting and preventing elder mistreatment often involves partnerships
with community organizations such as the Tarrant County Adult Protective Services
Advisory Board, where he serves as a member. Cannell earned his bachelor’s from the
University of North Texas, his master of public health at the University of Louisville
and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida.
Tyrone “Ty” Borders
Professor; Chair, Department of Applied Health Sciences
Borders is a leading expert in the field of health services and policy, and his research
contributions have helped shape both state and national policies. While on the faculty
at the University of Kentucky, he established the federally funded Rural and Underserved
Health Research Center, which he continues to co-lead as a faculty member at TCU.
He earned his Ph.D. and his master’s in hospital and health administration, as well
as master’s in epidemiology, from the University of Iowa, and a bachelor’s in psychology
from the University of Kansas.
DAVIES SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES & DISORDERS
Michelle Henry
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; Deaf/Hard of Hearing Studies Program
Coordinator
Henry, a TCU alum, returns to Fort Worth from the University of Tampa, where she served
as both an adjunct professor and as the coordinator for the largest deaf education
program in the state. As a second-generation deaf educator, she looks forward to helping
prepare the next generation and develop TCU's Early Intervention Services for deaf
and hard of hearing children five and under. She plans to help COSD students and beyond
develop an understanding of the unique needs of deaf and hard of hearing patients.
Henry earned her bachelor's at TCU in 2002, and her master's at the University of
Arizona.
NURSING
Thomas Sargent
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Sargent’s role at TCU marks his transition to a full-time academic role. He brings
valuable clinical experience to the nursing department, having served as a psychiatric
nurse practitioner at Parkland Health in Dallas, where he specialized in addiction
psychiatry and served in multiple leadership roles. He is excited about building connections
with students and collaborating with faculty in both research and service. Sargent
earned his doctor of nursing practice from the University of Texas, his master’s and
bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his bachelor’s
in biological sciences from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Jenna Stembridge
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Stembridge has been an adjunct faculty member at Harris College for the past two years,
teaching Foundations of Nursing Care and Care of Adults 1 Clinical. She began her
career at Medical City Dallas on the adult hematology-oncology floor, where she later
became the house supervisor at the facility. During the pandemic, she traveled to
work in COVID-19 oncology in Texas, Idaho and Washington. Stembridge is currently
pursuing her Ph.D. in nursing administration and education at William Carey University.
She earned her bachelor’s at Texas Tech and her master’s in nursing at the University
of Texas at Arlington.
Matthew Riehm
Assistant Professor
Riehm joins the Harris College full-time faculty after teaching as an adjunct in the
2023-2024 academic year. He has previous clinical experience at Oschner and Humana
Health Care. At TCU, he plans to build meaningful connections by participating in
campus initiatives, attending events, and supporting TCU service and outreach efforts.
Riehm earned his PhD in Nursing Leadership and Education from the University of Southern
Mississippi.
Virginia Gonzalez
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Gonzalez brings over 17 years of diverse clinical and academic experience, including
medical-surgical, perioperative, and nursing informatics. Prior to working in academia,
she worked as a Registered Nurse in the Fort Worth area for 14 years. Her research
interests include advancing simulation-based experiences for students, nursing education
methodologies, and the integration of technology and informatics in nursing education.
She received her AASN at Tarrant County College, her BSN and MSN at the University
of Texas at Arlington, and her DNP from Arkansas State University.
Sarah Cunningham
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Cunningham has worked in the Fort Worth healthcare community since 1999, and now brings
her expertise in pediatric forensic and emergency care to Harris College. She plans
to prioritize interdisciplinary projects to foster innovation and creativity both
within the classroom and beyond, mentor students, lead innovative projects, and contribute
to curriculum development. In her free time, she enjoys beekeeping. Cunningham received
her ASN at Southwestern Adventist University and her BSN and MSN at West Texas A&M
University.
Kate Stephens
Assistant Professor
Stephens has lived and worked in Fort Worth for nine years and brings a background
in pediatrics and leadership to TCU Nursing. She is building a research program centered
on safe staffing and quality of patient care, with her current work examining the
impact of floating on nurse-sensitive indicators. She looks forward to contributing
to the TCU community through interdisciplinary scholarship and a collaborative environment
that provides students with research opportunities and fosters strategic relationships.
Stephens earned her PhD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, her MSN from
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and her BSN from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Leah Botkin
Assistant Professor
Botkin is a founding faculty member of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
Prior to joining TCU, she worked in clinical roles, including inpatient acute care,
inpatient rehab, outpatient care and skilled nursing facilities. Her research has
focused on the development, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based interventions
in occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Botkin earned her bachelor’s and Ph.D.
from the University of Missouri and her master’s in occupational therapy from Washington
University in St. Louis.
PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE STUDIES
Carla Hirsch
Associate Professor of Professional Practice; Founding Director of Didactic Education
Hirsch comes to TCU from the University of Texas Medical Branch, where she researched
the experience of physician assistant students with a question-based review, as well
as faculty perceptions and student performance, using a peer-based question bank in
clinical pharmacology courses within a physician assistant program. She hopes to utilize
Fort Worth’s local museums to help students develop greater interpersonal skills through
art. Hirsch is currently pursuing her doctor of medical science with a focus in physician
assistant education at the University of Saint Francis. She received her master of
medical science in and a master’s in public health from Arcadia University.
JP Hennessy
Founding Director of Clinical Education; Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Hennessy began his clinical career as a firefighter-paramedic and went on to practice
primarily in psychiatry, experiences that continue to inform his teaching and scholarship.
He has directed clinical education for a nationwide tele-health organization and previously
led corporate communications initiatives for human resources and e-commerce teams
in the industry. He also serves as a captain in the Texas Army National Guard. His
current scholarly interests include physician assistant education, interprofessional
collaboration in the health professions, and the nexus of communication, pedagogy
and technology. Hennessy earned a bachelor’s from Abilene Christian University, a
master’s from San Diego State University, his master of medical science from Yale
University, and his doctor of medical science from Butler University.