---
title: "Meet Your Falls Church Campus Dean: Melissa L. Weir, PhD, RN"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/meet-your-falls-church-campus-dean-melissa-weir/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-04-13
date_modified: 2026-04-14
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 797
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/meet-your-falls-church-campus-dean-melissa-weir/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dean-Melissa-Weir-at-Falls-Church-Nursing-Program-Graduation.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# Meet Your Falls Church Campus Dean: Melissa L. Weir, PhD, RN

![Dean Melissa Weir at Falls Church Nursing Program Graduation](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dean-Melissa-Weir-at-Falls-Church-Nursing-Program-Graduation.webp)

It’s common for a student to feel drawn to nursing because they want to help
people. But for Melissa L. Weir, PhD, RN, CNE, CPEN, CEN, Dean of Nursing at 
[Arizona College of Nursing’s campus in Falls Church, Virginia](https://arizonacollege.edu/falls-church-nursing-school/)
, the journey started in a much less conventional way, with a dare. 

It all began back in high school, specifically Clara Barton High School for the
Health Professions in Brooklyn, NY. During a summer program focused on
dentistry, Dr. Weir and a friend found themselves underwhelmed. The work was 
interesting but not challenging enough. 

Then, they heard about nursing. Everyone said it was hard, so Dr. Weir decided
to give it a shot. “It was literally like a dare,” she says. “I think I’m going
to do that.” 

She went through a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, but her faculty were 
crystal clear that this was just the first step. They encouraged her to
[become a Registered Nurse (RN)](https://arizonacollege.edu/admissions/) and
pursue leadership. 

As Dr. Weir took on new roles and experiences, she discovered that nursing was
more than just helping people. It was about leading a team to improve outcomes
for individuals, as well as entire communities.  

“It stuck and I realized that this was what I was called to do,” she recalls.
“It was so challenging, and it’s so stimulating.” 

The lifelong learning and room for growth in every phase of one’s journey
through their profession kept her hooked. 

## A Growing Passion for Nursing 

As her career in nursing grew, so did her passion. Early on, Dr. Weir was driven
to
[excel in each clinical setting](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
, including pediatrics, where she explains she became “an expert in [her]
field”. When she transitioned to emergency nursing, she took every course she
could to become the best trauma nurse she could be.  

![Virginia Nursing School Dean Melissa Weir](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Virginia-Nursing-School-Dean-Melissa-Weir-1.webp?w=1024)

While she had many great clinical experiences over her years as a nurse, a theme
of teaching began to emerge.

“I didn’t have [my experiences] just to help the [patient]. Maybe I had
those experiences to help teach someone else, to bring in the next generation of
nurses,” she explains.

Even while working at the bedside, Dr. Weir was a natural educator, always
precepting and mentoring newer nurses.

“Teaching is my oxygen,” she says. It’s the core of who she is, whether she’s in
a clinical setting or in leadership. For her, teaching is the best way to
contribute to the nursing profession, helping to mold the next generation of
nurses. 

## Becoming a Leader at Arizona College of Nursing  

So, how did this passion for teaching lead her to become your Dean? Dr. Weir 
explains it was a matter of timing and opportunity.  

A mutual friend told her about a Dean position opening up, and Dr. Weir, who had
recently completed her doctoral education in nursing education, was ready for a
new challenge. She was excited to learn about the operational and business side
of academia, and the college’s culture and mission were a great fit. 

“I knew it was time for me to get into leadership and utilize what I learned,
studied, and practiced in school,” she says. 

Now as Dean of AZCN’s Falls Church campus, she sets clear goals for herself and
for the College. She is focused on teaching the students and helping them
[reach their own goals](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/why-azcn/)
for their nursing careers. Weir is confident she can reach her goals for the
College, especially with the support of the campus president and a talented
team. 

Speaking of her team, Weir is most proud of the culture and faculty she’s 
helping to build. She focuses on developing her faculty members’ skills and
passions, sending them to conferences, and encouraging them to share their
knowledge. This commitment to professional growth is a huge win, as it leads to
high retention and a strong team. 

When asked about specific faculty who are making a big impact, Dr. Weir is quick
to shout-out to Kevin T. Gore, Sr. Executive Director, Enrollment Services. Dr.
Weir shares an amazing story about a new adjunct faculty member who, when they
met Kevin, revealed that he was the reason she went to nursing school in the
first place. It was a powerful, full-circle moment that highlights the
commitment and passion of the entire team. 

Though her journey to nursing leadership was fueled by a high school dare, it
has turned into a lifelong passion for learning, leading, and, most importantly,
teaching.

**Categories:** Nursing School