Stephens welcomes New Director of Nursing
Stephens College is proud to announce Dr. Karina Floyd as the new Director of Nursing, effective July 14. She takes the helm from Dr. Noreen Houck, the founding director of the nursing program, who will retire at the end of July after establishing a strong, student-focused foundation and leading the program through several transformative milestones.
Dr. Floyd joins Stephens with nearly 20 years of experience in nursing, spanning both clinical practice and academic leadership. She is known for her dedication to student learning and her commitment to preparing future nurses for the emotional and professional challenges of modern healthcare.
“Dr. Floyd’s deep expertise and her unwavering dedication to student success make her an ideal leader for this next chapter,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leslie Willey. “She will carry forward Dr. Houck’s legacy while shaping a bold vision for the future.”
Dr. Floyd earned her Master of Science in Nursing in 2014 and her Ph.D. in Nursing in 2020. Her doctoral research, Empowering Minority Nurses in the Face of Incivility and Bullying: Through the Lens of Phenomenology, reflects her dedication to fostering resilience and professional confidence among nurses.
Clinically, Dr. Floyd brings a decade of experience in pediatric nursing and seven additional years working with adult patients. Prior to coming to Stephens, she was at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital providing expert care in both the Transitional Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, supporting medically complex infants and children through multidisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based practice.
In academic settings, Dr. Floyd has led curriculum development, mentored students, and created dynamic learning environments where future nurses develop both clinical skills and emotional preparedness.
Her appointment comes at an exciting time for the Stephens College nursing program, which is expanding in both scope and resources. Under Dr. Houck’s leadership, the College was recently awarded a $621,975 grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing’s Nursing Education Incentive Program. This significant investment will fund the development of a state-of-the-art Nursing Learning Center on campus, featuring hospital-grade facilities, mid-fidelity manikins, and immersive virtual reality technology. The new Center will transform part of the campus Visitors Center into a high-tech training hub focused on patient safety, skill development, and hands-on instruction.
In addition to enhancing facilities, the grant supports faculty training in emerging healthcare technologies and bolsters student recruitment—positioning Stephens as a premier destination for nursing education.
Dr. Houck expanded the College’s clinical partnership with Magnet Hospital Boone Health. Students engage in real-world experiences just blocks from campus. The collaboration includes new federal work-study opportunities and hands-on training designed to bridge the classroom and clinical environment from the very start of a student’s education.
“The new Nursing Center allows Stephens College to expand learning opportunities for our students,” Dr. Houck said. “Working in this innovative space with their faculty, students will practice safe, compassionate care—skills they will carry with them into their clinical training at Boone Health and beyond.”
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Floyd loves spending time with her family. On weekends they enjoy kayaking on Missouri rivers and lakes, riding motorcycles together, and caring for the animals on her small hobby farm. She credits these moments with helping her to stay grounded and reminding her why she’s passionate about educating the next generation of nurses.
As Stephens College prepares to open its new Nursing Learning Center and deepen its clinical partnerships, Dr. Floyd’s leadership ensures the program remains forward-focused, student-centered, and dedicated to preparing nurses for the complexities of today’s healthcare landscape.
For more information about the Stephens College Nursing Program, visit www.stephens.edu/nursing.
