Learn from knowledgeable leaders at our Fort Lauderdale nursing college campus who have years of experience putting their skills to use in the medical field.
James Jones
Senior Campus President
James Jones
Senior Campus President
Bachelor of Arts in Religion from The University of Mobile
Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryÂ
James Jones began working in post-secondary education as an instructor in 2006. Since then, he has been a program director, director of education and a campus executive director. He has over 14 years of experience working in higher education in Arizona and Florida. He has been with Arizona College since March of 2019 and is currently the Senior Campus President at their Fort Lauderdale campus. His favorite thing about working in colleges is having the opportunity to help people be positively impacted by improving their lives through education.Â
In James’ free time, he enjoys going to the beach with his wife and children and watching the University of Alabama play football.Â
Shawn Higgins
Dean of Nursing
Shawn Higgins
Dean of Nursing
PhD in Education – Capella University
BSN, MSN, Nursing – University of Phoenix
Shawn Higgins came to Arizona College of Nursing – Ft. Lauderdale in 2021 with 14 years of experience in nursing education and 23 years of leadership experience. Shawn Higgins earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and her PhD from Capella University where she was drawn to understanding the “why” and the “how” behind education. Her degree specialty is specific to Leadership in Higher Education.
Shawn Higgins’ nursing background prior to education includes long-term care, rehabilitation services (stroke and TBI), home health, hospice, and basic med-surg. Her nursing education experience spans the country, having worked in the private sector for schools in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. She and her husband have eight children between them and will be welcoming their fifth grandchild in the spring of 2022. She is looking forward to a long and happy relationship with her new Arizona College of Nursing family.
Tamiya Broderick
Academic Records Manager
Tamiya Broderick
Academic Records Manager
Tamiya joined Arizona College in 2020 as an Admissions Coordinator. There it increased her passion of helping others achieve their life-long goals. In the 3 years at Arizona College, she has moved on to be the Admissions Coordinator, Campus Coordinator, and now the BSN Program Manager. Tamiya believes that education opens the door to a world of possibilities.
As BSN Program Manager, Tamiya monitors and assists students progress in their BSN journey. During her free time, she enjoys studying Psychology and promoting Self-Advocacy and positivity.
Michael Branham-Bell, EdD, EdS, MEd, BS
Dean of General Education
Michael Branham-Bell, EdD, EdS, MEd, BS
Dean of General Education
EdD in Educational Leadership, Argosy University – Atlanta, GA – Fall 2014
EdS In Educational Leadership, Argosy University – Atlanta, GA – Fall 2012
MEd in Guidance and Counseling, State University of West Georgia – Carrollton, GA – Fall 1997
BS in Psychology, Shorter College – Rome, GA – Spring 1992
Michael is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in higher education and mental health services. Prior to joining Arizona College in 2023, he served as the Academic Dean – Campus Operations for Herzing University. His leadership experience also includes positions in Academic Affairs at National American University, where he held roles such as Associate Provost and Dean of Students, overseeing a large student body across thirty-seven campuses.
Michael played a pivotal role in leading National American University through the Higher Learning Commission’s first cohort of the Academy for Student Persistence and completion, displaying his dedication to student success and academic excellence. His career in Higher Education began in 2002 at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he initially served as the Assistant Director of Admissions. In 2004, he transitioned to the Academic Affairs Team, where he not only began teaching but also took on responsibilities in overseeing student support services. Throughout his career, Michael has provided leadership in various areas such as Academic Advisement, Student Success, and Community Education, demonstrating his commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for faculty and student success. Before his transition to Higher Education, Michael spent a decade as a Program Manager at Three Rivers Behavioral Health, a community mental health center specializing in serving chronically mentally ill children and adults. His passion for delivering high-quality education and fostering a supportive environment shine through in all aspects of his work.Ricardo Martin
Executive Director of Enrollment Service
Ricardo Martin
Executive Director of Enrollment Service
Ricky Martin joined Arizona College of Nursing in 2022 bringing more than sixteen years of experience in Higher Education to the team. Ricky previously served in such roles as Director of Admissions, Senior Director of Admissions and Regional Director of Admissions where his focus was on delivering exceptional student service.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and is passionate about being student centric, organizational culture and providing mentorship to his on-campus team. Ricky serves as Executive Director of Enrollment Services for the Fort Lauderdale campus where he oversees the Admissions and Financial Aid departments.
Accreditations
1 The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
2 All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.