Dr. Tamara Poole joined Arizona College of Nursing in 2022. She has a 10-year history of teaching and serving in various leadership roles in nursing academics. Dr. Poole is passionate about student success and was instrumental in developing two student Success Coaching programs at former institutions. She also has extensive experience in simulation and interprofessional education, having built several successful programs in nursing education and in-patient healthcare settings.
Education: DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Prior to joining Arizona College of Nursing, Dr. Tracey L. Murray began her career as an acute care nurse and then transitioned to the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner, nurse consultant, and entrepreneur. Through her professional journey she has always gravitated to teaching and learning with and among nursing students. With over 11 years of experience as a Dean of Nursing, including leading at Coppin State University and Unitek College, she has transitioned from the nurse to the role of adjunct faculty member to professor, academic dean, and director of the health center.
Tracey led the General Education subcommittee, curricular development and evaluation including assisting in the development of a BS degree in Health Sciences. She has led initiatives that foster ongoing systematic program evaluation and quality improvement, policy development, mentoring nurses, future nurses, and potential leaders, community engagement, strategic planning, and institutional advancement. In those roles, she led initiatives to support the growth and development of new deans as well as NCLEX success for students through achieving 100% faculty ATI Champions and 96% first-time pass rates.
Dr. Murray’s research and scholarship has focused on the relationship between teacher-centered and learner-centered principles. Her professional focus is working with vulnerable and underserved populations. Most recently, she traveled internationally with a team to improve the healthcare outcomes to vulnerable and displaced populations with a focus on vision screening, oral care, diabetes and hypertension. She is a Safra Fellow for Parkinson’s Disease and a Watson Caring Sciences Caritas Coach. Tracey’s passion for healthcare and education was formed from when she was a teenager assisting her grandmothers, who visited the sick and shut ins and did philanthropic work. Now, she is proud to use that passion to foster the Next Generation of Nurses.
Education: PhD in Education, Nursing Education, Capella University | Doctor of Nursing Practice, Chatham University | MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Miami | BSN, University of Florida
Sharen Lacayo came to Arizona College of Nursing – Tucson in 2019 after working in higher education. She has held several positions in education including Dean of Nursing. She brings over a decade of nursing experience in wide variety of settings. Her specialties include community, and behavioral health.
Dr. Lacayo has always been drawn to education, and loves helping students achieve their goals and dreams.
Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice, Chamberlain University | MSN-ED in Nursing Education, Grand Canyon University | BSN in Nursing, Brigham Young University
Dwight Young-Sang brought nearly two decades of experience in both career and traditional school management to Arizona College of Nursing. His journey in education began in 2005, when he made a bold move into the industry. Starting as an Admission Representative at a local college, Dwight quickly advanced to Senior Director of Admissions. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a long and dedicated career in education.
Dr. Jenny Lucy is proud to have been a nurse for 29 years and a nursing professor for the past 15 years. She has dedicated her career to the field of nursing education and is currently the Dean of Nursing at the Fort Lauderdale Campus of Arizona College of Nursing.
Throughout her career, Dr. Lucy has held various positions in different nursing specialties, including Med Surg, Telemetry critical care, behavioral health and psychiatric care, and Leadership. Prior to joining the Arizona College of Nursing , she served as an Area Nurse Manager with the Federal Government, overseeing 17 clinics in 7 states. Dr. Lucy’s diverse experience has provided her with a well-rounded perspective on the nursing profession.
Dr. Lucy is a passionate advocate for fair educational opportunities and believes in providing respect and support to all students. She is committed to promoting student participation in the local community and encourages service and volunteerism among her students. Dr. Lucy looks forward to the contributions she will continue to make in shaping the future of nursing professionals.
Education: Doctorate in Nursing Practice, American Sentinel University | Masters in Education, The Open University | BSN, South Bank University
Prior to joining Arizona College in 2025, Tia served as the Director of Special Education for a large urban school district in Maryland. With over 25 years of experience in education, her prior experiences include being a middle school teacher and department chair, an instructional specialist, and a supervisor in the K-12 public school system. Tia’s educational journey began at Towson University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary English and Special Education. She continued her academic pursuits at McDaniel College, obtaining a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Administration and a doctorate in Teaching and Learning from Argosy University.
As the Dean of General Education, Tia provides oversight of the general education curriculum and faculty and leads student retentions initiatives.
Education: Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning , Argosy University | M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, McDaniel College | B.S. in Secondary English & Special Education, Towson University
Prior to joining Arizona College in 2022, Dr. Weir served in various academic roles in baccalaureate, associate degree, traditional, and accelerated nursing programs. She has been Assistant Professor and Interim Chairperson of an undergraduate nursing program. Dr. Weir was recognized by students as ‘Best Classroom Teacher’ multiple consecutive years while at Howard University. She is a Certified Nurse Educator who excels in mentoring faculty members and modeling best teaching strategies to facilitate student success. She enjoys leading teams to exceed regulatory and accreditation standards.
As Dean of Nursing, Dr. Weir oversees operationalizing the curriculum and ensures the college’s vision, mission, and values are foundational elements in guiding decision making and actions.
Education: PhD in Nursing Education, University of Northern Colorado | MS in Nursing Education, Hampton University | BSN, Howard University
Kevin T. Gore came to Arizona College of Nursing – Falls Church in 2021 after serving as the Director of Admissions at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Prior to that position, he spent almost a decade as the Director of Admissions at Chamberlain University. He is a higher education leader with over 12 years of expertise in recruitment and marketing, dedicated to achieving institutional goals and delivering a superior customer service experience.
As the Executive Director of Enrollment Services, Kevin oversees the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of standards in the administrative departments including, admissions, financial aid and student facing services such as admission coordinator and front desk.
Education: Bachelors of Arts, Spanish – Bethune-Cookman University
Dr. Kevin Serra started at Arizona College of Nursing in June of 2024. Prior to Arizona College of Nursing he conducted research into early musculoskeletal development at Wesleyan University. His research provides insights into the relationship between the early muscles and the adult skeleton that contribute to the current understanding of human spinal disease.
Dr. Serra brings years of experience as a lab manager and lecturer in higher education. He is dedicated to the success of students and eager to ensure students receive the most from the General Education program at Arizona College of Nursing.
Education: Ph.D. in Biology, Wesleyan University | B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut
Renea joined Arizona College of Nursing in June 2023. She was born and raised in Hartford, CT. She is the first in her family to obtain a college degree, and is also first-generation American in her family. Renea attended Southern Connecticut State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2020 and her Master of Science in Sociology in 2022. While working on her undergraduate degree, she worked as a Success Navigator for the Academic Success Center until eventually becoming the Success Navigator Coordinator in the Orientation, Transition, and Family Engagement office on campus. Upon graduation, she worked as the AmeriCorps VISTA for Southern’s University Access Programs department where she developed the university’s first family engagement program for first-generation students. It was through these experiences, in addition to her own personal college experiences, that Renea developed the passion to work with students, providing them with a variety of resources to ensure their overall success as they pursue their college degree.
As BSN Program Manager, Renea monitors and assists students as they progress in their BSN journey, from the moment they are accepted to receiving their degree and entering the workforce. She is excited to be a part of the AZCN family, as we strive to nurture and introduce the next generation of nurses who will positively contribute to our healthcare system, as well as our overall society
Education: Associate of Science, Liberal Arts & Science – Manchester Community College | Bachelor of Arts, Psychology – Southern Connecticut State University | Master of Science, Sociology – Southern Connecticut State University