Dr. Bolt named Fellow to the Academy of OADN
Published on September 22, 2021
NORTH EAST, Md. – Under the guidance and support of Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt since 2014, the College’s nursing program has enjoyed immense success, becoming one of the most respected and coveted programs in Maryland among both two-year and four-year institutions. In recognition of her work promoting all aspects of the healthcare field and two-year colleges, Dr. Bolt has been selected for induction into the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) as an honorary fellow of the Academy.
“Community college nursing programs are critical to meeting the workforce need for nurses in Maryland. Cecil College prepares nurses to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare environment,” said Dr. Bolt.
Cecil College’s nursing program is fully approved by the Maryland State Board of Nursing and nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Cecil College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
“We commend you for your outstanding contributions and commitment to nursing education and practice. The Academy of Associate Degree Nursing was established to recognize remarkable contributions as role models for students, faculty colleagues, and as advocates for associate degree nursing education,” said Dr. Libby Mahaffey, Chair Emeritus of the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing.
While Dr. Bolt is deeply honored for this acknowledgment, she freely admits the formula for the nursing program’s success is the faculty’s dedication. A testament to the program is the fact that four of the six full-time members hold doctoral degrees. The full-time faculty include; Assistant Director Dr. Roxanne Rash, Dr. Lauren Dawson, Amy Smythe, Dr. Shirley Gharbin, Mary Knarr, and Dr. Cynthia Horton. In addition, 11 adjunct instructors with advanced degrees are full-time practitioners in the medical field.
Dr. Bolt is recognized as one of the most vocal supporters of community colleges in Maryland, proudly telling the stories of how lives have been positively impacted by the programs two-year colleges offer. While nursing programs are in the headlines during the pandemic, she points out that all the programs have changed lives.
“Our faculty and staff entrust me with our students’ stories, and they are continually moved by the life challenges many of our students face and how the College provides support to ensure they succeed. My job is to share these stories broadly, with student permission, of course, to continue to inspire prospective students, funders, and our larger college community,” said Dr. Bolt.
Dr. Bolt is passionate about Cecil College, its students, the role the institution plays in the region, and the future of the people who live in those communities. Having grown up in Conowingo and graduated from Rising Sun High School, she advocates for higher education and the nursing program.
“We have a lot of support for our nursing program at Cecil College. The Board of Trustees, our administration, the faculty, and the Cecil College Foundation all work to ensure we have the most up-to-date equipment and supplies. They also procure financial scholarships and resources for the students as well as professional educational opportunities for our nursing faculty,” said Dean of Health and Human Services Nancy Norman-Marzella, D.N.P.
Dr. Bolt knows and understands the struggle Cecil College students endure coming from a rural county. Upon graduating from the X-ray program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she returned to Cecil County to attend the nursing program at Cecil College. While working weekends as an X-ray technician at Union Hospital, she attended Cecil College full-time.
Following Cecil College, she continued to work weekends in Union Hospital’s medical-surgical unit and provide patient education while commuting to the University of Maryland Baltimore County to complete her bachelor’s degree. Adding to her workload, she took an adjunct position at Cecil College while finishing her master’s degree at University of Maryland at Baltimore.
Dr. Bolt joined the Cecil College faculty in 1990. In 1995, she was promoted to director of nursing and enrolled in the doctoral program at Widener University. She was named interim president of Cecil College in October 2014 when President Stephen Pannill announced his retirement.
As president of Cecil College, Dr. Bolt continues to embrace the mission and vital role a community college contributes to its surrounding region. Cecil College remains focused on workforce development, continuing education, traditional credit programs, and life-long learning. The College has transfer opportunities and partnerships with four-year institutions which provide pathways for students to earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduating.
Located within 10 miles of Delaware and Pennsylvania borders, the College’s support extends beyond Cecil County. Cecil College provides workforce training for the tri-state region, with a higher than usual number of out-of-state and out-of-county students compared to other Maryland community colleges.
“We are of great value to citizens of the county, the state, and the region. There is something for almost everyone here at Cecil College, both in credit programs and continuing education. I hear people saying, ‘I cannot imagine the county without the College because of how much the College does to support the community,’” said Dr. Bolt.
The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) will officially designate Dr. Bolt as a fellow of the Academy during the OADN 2021 Convention on Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Austin Marriott Downtown, Austin, TX.