Meet Our Doctoral Students
Lexi Ayala (She/Her/Hers)
Ed.D. Student, Nursing Education (Distance Learning)
Lexi's professional experience includes pediatric nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing professional development. She is passionate about closing the gaps between nursing practice, education, and research.
Research Discipline/Bio
Lexi is an EdD candidate in the TC Online Nursing Education program. Her research interests include nursing professional identity and academic nurse educator competencies.
Lexi's professional experience includes pediatric nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing professional development. She is passionate about closing the gaps between nursing practice, education, and research.
Educational Background
Master of Science in Nursing, Health Leadership, University of Pennsylvania, 2021
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing, 2016
Publications/Exhibitions
Dickinson, J. K., Wentzel, J. A., Schwenk, J., & Ayala, L. A. (2024). Prevalence of nursing theory citations in non-nursing publications. Nursing Outlook, 72(6), 102303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102303
Last Updated: Nov 4, 2024
Sotos Djiovanis
Ed.D. Student, Nursing Education (Distance Learning)
Prior to becoming a nurse educator, Sotos spent 19 years in the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra as a professional oboe and English horn player. He also has performed in state and national orchestras in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Now, Sotos continues to play professionally on a part-time basis as English hornist in the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Research Discipline/Bio
Sotos G. Djiovanis is a doctoral candidate in Nursing Education at TC. He has been a trauma, orthopedics, and community health nurse in Central Florida since 2015. He is full-time faculty at the University of Central Florida, where he helped to inaugurate Dedicated Education Unit clinicals. Sotos is faculty sponsor of the university's Hispanic Nursing Student Organization, Unidos. He also co-leads an annual intercultural study abroad to Chiapas, Mexico, where he and his students provide public service clinics for women, children, and Indigenous people. Research areas include nursing education, communication, and simulation.
Prior to becoming a nurse educator, Sotos spent 19 years in the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra as a professional oboe and English horn player. He also has performed in state and national orchestras in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Now, Sotos continues to play professionally on a part-time basis as English hornist in the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Educational Background
-Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education, University of Central Florida, 2020
-Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated Cohort, University of Central Florida, 2015
-Doctor of Music, Oboe Performance, Florida State University, 2005
-Master of Music, Oboe Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music-Case Western Reserve University, 2001
-Bachelor of Music, Oboe Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music-Case Western Reserve University, 2000
Honors/Awards
-Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar, New Careers in Nursing, 2014-15
-Noble Knight Nurse Awards, Education Category, University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, 2021
-Northern Star Award, Orlando Regional Medical Center, 2018
Publications/Exhibitions
Dickinson, J. K., Posesorski, R. E., Djiovanis, S. G., & Brady, V. J. (2024). Impact of negative or stigmatizing messages on diabetes outcomes: An integrative review. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care, 50(2), 167.
Djiovanis, S. G. (2024). In-situ provider telephonic calling simulation for clinical nursing students. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 19(1), e43–e43.
Djiovanis, S. G. (2023). Stroke awareness and prevention for double reed musicians. The Double Reed, 46(2), 127-129.
Last Updated: Oct 1, 2024
Janet Schwenk
Ed.D. Student, Nursing Education (Distance Learning)
Research Discipline/Bio
I am a Registered Nurse with thirty years of experience in Medical-Surgical and Mental Health Nursing. I am board certified in mental health nursing and have worked as a mental health nurse for the past twenty years. I received my Master of Science in Nursing as a Nurse Educator from Chamberlain University and currently I am a doctoral candidate at Teacher's College, Columbia University. In addition, I am a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) from The National League for Nursing's Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program. My current research interests focus on using standardized patients in simulation to enhance nursing student's therapeutic communication skills, particularly in the context of telehealth and remote patient care. I am passionate about advancing nursing education and improving patient outcomes through innovative teaching methods and technology.
Educational Background
Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator, Chamberlain University, 2017.
Publications/Exhibitions
Dickinson, J.K., Wentzel, J.A., Schwenk, J., & Ayala, L.A. (2024). Prevalence of nursing theory citations in non-nursing publications. Nursing Outlook, 72 (6). 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102303
Franzese, J., Pecinka, K. & Schwenk, J., (2020). Alternative clinical experience through academic service-learning develops into a partnership for mental health rotation. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2019.10.002
Last Updated: Nov 4, 2024
Jasper Erwin Tolarba
Ed.D. Student, Nursing Education (Distance Learning)
Research Discipline/Bio
Jasper is an EdD in Nursing Education student at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research interest is in the areas of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, nursing workforce education and development, and global health. He has joint appointment as an Endowed Chair of Nursing Practice, Education, Research and Innovation at Nuvance Health System and Sacred Heart University. He is also the United Nations Liaison of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society for 2024-2027.
Educational Background
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Yale University-New Haven (2015)
Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Xavier University-Cincinnati (2007)
Masters in Education (MEd) - Bicol University-Philippines (2001)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Bicol University-Philippines (1996)
Honors/Awards
2024 Alumni Decade Awardee - awarded by Yale University School of Nursing in June 2024
Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FFNMRCSI) - awarded 2023
Fellow of the American Academy of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) - awarded 2022
Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) - awarded 2022
Fulbright Research Fellow to the Kingdom of Jordan 2019-2020
Publications/Exhibitions
Tolarba, J.E. and Gharaibeh, H. (2023). A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study on School Deans’ Perspectives about Nursing Education in Jordan. Science Talks, Volume 6, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sctalk.2023.100194
Tolarba, J.E. (2021). Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Nursing Education, 13 (3), 48-54. doi.org/10.37506/ijone.v13i3.16310
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024