Meet Dr. Erica Allen, DNP, Associate Professor in Nursing

Dr. Erica Allen, DNP is passionate about being able to teach students in the Chicago community. “We want to give them the education they desire, so that they can get out there, working.”

“We have a vulnerable population of students here to educate. It is important that we’re here, and we’re accessible, able to offer a convenient and competitive degree to those who need it.”

Dr. Allen began her education in Nursing at Ivy Tech College in Indiana, graduating with her Associates Degree in 2009. She went on from there to achieve her BSN, MSN and MBA by 2015. Her pursuit for education didn’t stop there.  She went on to achieve her Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) in 2018 from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

Her teaching and work experiences include Nursing Simulation Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty member at Ivy Tech College in Crown Point, Indiana. She recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the Nursing Department at Chicago State, as of January, 2019.

Dr. Allen is a member of these professional organizations: The Northwest Indiana Simulation Consortium Group, the National League of Nurses and INACSL, the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, a Simulationists organization that include expert practitioners from a number of colleges and universities in the Illinois and Indiana nursing communities.

Dr. Allen also considers herself a mentor and role model to young women and men who need someone “who looks like them,” to encourage upward and forward mobility in the field of nursing. She is also currently advocating for programs with study abroad experiences for her students to be able to explore options working outside of the United States, and to consider global careers.

Dr. Allen overcame a multitude of obstacles early on in her life, and her career. “I struggled. I was a high school dropout who became a teen mother. I had to get my GED in order to work.” In spite of all of that, Erica was able to achieve her Ph.D. before the age of 35. “It was tough, but I made it. I hope to inspire students to know that they can do it too.”      Welcome Dr. Allen!