Campus Leadership at our
Chesapeake Nursing College

Santia Tatum

Assistant Director of Enrollment Services

Santia Tatum joined Arizona College of Nursing in May 2023 bringing more than seventeen years of experience in Business Operations, Marketing and Sales, and three years of experience in Higher Education to the team. Santia previously served as Director of Sales and Operations, Sales and Operations Manager and Assistant Director of Admissions where her focus was on delivering an exceptional experience for clients and students.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Santia is deeply committed to prioritizing students’ needs, contributing to the fulfillment of the demand for skilled Registered Nurses, and offering mentorship and support.

Currently, Santia serves as the Assistant Director of Enrollment Services for the Chesapeake campus, where she plays a key role in overseeing the Admissions department and ensuring a memorable enrollment process for students.

Alyssa C. Baldwin, Ph.D., Ed.S, M.Ed.

Academic Records Manager

Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration/ Educational Leadership, Liberty University

M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, Liberty University

B.S in Interdisciplinary Studies, Maranatha University

Prior to joining Arizona College of Nursing in 2023, Alyssa served in academic and registrar operations for Adtalem Global Education driving continuous process improvements where she incorporated initiatives to increase efficiency and streamlined operations for the organization. Moreover, she has served as a Student Success Advisor where she assessed students’ unique needs while helping them reach their full potential through actionable paths steps. She is also a veteran of the United States Navy where she was commended and awarded for her exceptional leadership during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alyssa has a diversified background with extensive experience in higher education and business operations and is committed to student success.

As Academic Records Manager, Alyssa provides data support to campus leadership and assists with the logistical guidance of student movement through the BSN program.

Robert F. DeFinis, Ed.D.

Senior Campus President

Ed.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Argosy University

Prior to joining Arizona College in 2022, Dr. DeFinis served as the Campus Director at Carrington College, Boise Campus. Dr. DeFinis has been working with children, athletes, coaches, teams, leaders, and organizations for over twenty years while consistently leveraging optimal performance strategies into success stories. He has a diversified background with extensive experience in education, nonprofit leadership, law enforcement, and behavior analysis. Dr. DeFinis has also served on the Board of Directors for several organizations that promote literacy initiatives, workforce development solutions, and educational opportunities. Dr. DeFinis believes in a student centric approach to operations where service excellence is the primary focus.

As Senior Campus President, Dr. DeFinis oversees the day-to-day operational execution and outcomes for the campus academic team.

Shannon T. Harrington, PhD, RN

Dean of Nursing

PhD in Nursing, University of Virginia

Dr. Harrington joined Arizona College of Nursing in 2024 bringing more than 22 years of progressive nursing leadership experience. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of clinical, faculty, and administrative roles. Dr. Harrington completed her undergraduate education at Old Dominion University and holds graduate degrees from the University of Virginia, a master’s in nursing with a concentration in Health Systems Management, and a nursing doctorate. Dr. Harrington also completed a post-doctoral research fellowship with a joint appointment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Cancer Center/UMass Boston. Her research interests include healthcare disparities, quality of care, breast cancer, health promotion/disease prevention, and the impact of poor nutrition and lack of exercise on health outcomes.

Dr. Harrington is very active in her community serving in a variety of health advocacy and leadership roles, she is a mentor for young women and emerging nurse leaders, and she serves on the board for the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Harrington is passionate about student and faculty success, and she believes that a good leader will take you from where you are to where they want to be, but a great leader will help you attain success that you never imagined. She aspires to be a great, servant leader.