Coastal Alabama Community College Nursing and Allied Health

So incredibly proud of our faculty, staff, and students as we celebrate this remarkable distinction as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence! 🎉

This prestigious recognition is a testament to the dedication, excellence, and unwavering commitment of our entire nursing community. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and passion helped make this honor possible. What an incredible accomplishment to be recognized as one of the elite nursing programs in the country!

NLN Honors the 2026 Centers of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education Award Ceremony Set for Honors Convocation at the NLN Education Summit in Washington, DC

✨ Terrific Staff Tuesday ✨

Ms. Morgan Watkins is our TERRIFIC Nursing and Allied Health Academic Advisor that serves students across all of our programs. She advises prospective and current students throughout their academic journey, from admission to planning transfer opportunities after graduation. Ms. Watkins also assists with recruitment efforts, administers the ACT, and supports various departmental initiatives to help students achieve their educational goals. Ms. Watkins explains, “The most fulfilling aspect of supporting our Nursing and Allied Health students is being there for them when they are facing a challenging semester and helping them find the silver lining at the end of a difficult time. I value being able to help students shift their focus from the negative aspects of a setback, regroup, and prepare to come back stronger and more confident.” In her spare time, she enjoys coaching both indoor and beach volleyball! To learn more about Ms. Watkins’s educational background, take a look below:

Education
- Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (English), University of South Alabama
- Master of Science in Management, Faulkner University

✨ Faculty Spotlight Friday ✨

Mrs. Alisha Adams, MSN, RN is a Nursing Instructor on the Bay Minette campus with nearly 16 years of Nursing experience. Her practice experience includes Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Cardiology, and Neurology settings at USA Health University Hospital and Springhill Medical Center. In her five years as full-time faculty at Coastal Alabama Community College, Mrs. Adams has taught NUR 112 and NUR 113. Her calm, but confident demeanor contributes positively to the success of her students and teaching effectiveness. Outside of nursing, Mrs. Adams and her husband have four children of which they love spending time with! To learn more about Mrs. Adams’s educational background, take a look below:

Educational Background
-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2010), University of South Alabama
-Master of Science in Nursing Education/Administration (2020), University of Mobile

Nursing Program Applications are OPEN for Spring 2027!

The deadline to apply is October 1st. The Division of Nursing is accepting applications for Practical Nursing (PN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and Nursing Mobility (LPN to RN) cohorts on a variety of campuses.

Apply today at https://bit.ly/3S0Yq2c.

Thank you to Crowne Health Care for visiting our PN and ADN students from the Atmore and Brewton campuses to share future employment opportunities!

✨ Faculty Spotlight Friday ✨

Justin Cole, EMS Instructor, brings nearly two decades of emergency medical services experience to Coastal Alabama Community College. Since beginning his EMS career in 2008, he has served in roles ranging from EMT and Paramedic to Training Officer and EMS Director, leading emergency medical operations in rural Alabama for 10 years.

A lifelong learner, Justin earned an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in 2010. In 2024, he completed both a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Western Governors University. He is currently finishing the capstone project for his Doctor of Health Sciences degree at Faulkner University, with plans to graduate in 2026.

Since joining Coastal Alabama in 2022, Justin has taught EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic courses, preparing the next generation of EMS professionals for careers in emergency healthcare.

Outside the classroom, Justin enjoys cooking, gardening, serving at his church, and helping others. He and his wife, Dr. Brittany Cole, a nursing instructor at Coastal Alabama, live in Brewton with their two dogs, Fowler and Sakura.

We recently celebrated our senior Nursing students on the Thomasville campus with a Luau party! Graduation is just a few days away!

Today, we welcomed 3️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ new students to our Practical Nursing (PN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and Nursing Mobility programs across our 7️⃣ Nursing campuses and instructional sites during Nursing Orientation! Welcome to the Pack!

✨ Faculty Spotlight Friday ✨

Mrs. Tessie Mendoza, MSN, RN is a Nursing Instructor on the Atmore campus with 18 years of Nursing experience. Her practice experience includes Obstetric Emergency Care, Labor and Delivery, High-Risk Obstetrics, Women's Health, and Newborn Nursery. In her three years as full-time faculty at Coastal Alabama Community College, Mrs. Mendoza has taught NUR 113, NUR 114, and NUR 115. Outside of nursing, Mrs. Mendoza and her husband have owned and operated Mendoza's Barrier Fence Company, LLC for more than 20 years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world, crafting, and getting her hands dirty with home renovation projects. Mrs. Mendoza’s faith and family are the foundation of her life and continue to inspire her both personally and professionally. To learn more about Mrs. Mendoza’s educational background, take a look below:

Educational Background
-Associate Degree in Nursing (2008), Coastal Alabama Community College (formerly Jefferson Davis Community College)
-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2019), University of West Florida
-Master of Science in Nursing Education (2022), University of West Florida
-Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Leadership and Informatics, Troy University (expected completion 2027)