Meet AACN's Faculty Scholars

Dr. Yvette Conyers is Associate Dean for Strategic Engagement and Impact and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. With over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, nursing education, and advocacy, she is a nationally recognized leader in health equity and culturally responsive care. She serves as Chair of the Health Policy Committee for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a Fellow of the Academy of Diverse Leaders in Nursing, and a 2025 participant in the Healing Politics Campaign School for Nurses and Midwives. Dr. Conyers integrates restorative practices and equity into her leadership, contributing to key legislative efforts such as Maryland House Bill 0783. Her work advances nursing’s role in policy, leadership, and system transformation to ensure justice and improved outcomes across diverse communities.

Dr. Samantha Juan is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at California State University-San Bernardino. She earned her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2023. Her dissertation focused on the use of virtual simulation to promote empathy in nursing students. In 2024, she received an Early Career Mentored Research Award from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare to expand her research by measuring behavioral outcomes in simulation labs. That same year, she collaborated with faculty from CSU East Bay to develop a VR simulation for promoting patient safety. In 2025, Dr. Juan partnered with Dr. Xiangyu Li from the School of Computer Science to explore Al-driven VR simulations for predicting patient outcomes through clinical decision-making. Her interdisciplinary work continues to advance the use of simulation and technology in nursing education and patient care.