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Rishel appointed to lead strategic alignment of faculty titles across U of A institutions

March 3, 2026
By Emily Tam, U of A Nursing, Office of Marketing & Communications
Head and shoulders shot of Cindy Rishel.

Cindy Rishel, PhD, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, clinical professor and executive health systems leadership specialty coordinator in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the College of Nursing, has been appointed co-chair of a university-wide initiative to align faculty titles across the University of Arizona (U of A) institutions. The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) Title Alignment Advisory Committee will review and align faculty titles across U of A institutions.

The dean nominated Rishel to serve as one of the College of Nursing’s representatives on the committee and was later asked to serve as co-chair. The appointment recognizes her extensive experience in faculty affairs, promotion processes, and academic leadership.

“Dr. Rishel brings exceptional insight into faculty advancement and governance,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Her deep understanding of promotion and tenure processes, coupled with her commitment to fairness and academic excellence, makes her an outstanding choice to lead this important university-wide effort.”

The UAGC Title Alignment Advisory Committee is charged with reviewing 91 UAGC instructors who currently hold “staff” titles. Through a comprehensive dossier review, committee members will evaluate each faculty member’s qualifications and accomplishments to determine whether they align with the U of A’s established career-track professorial ranks. The effort is designed to ensure equity, transparency, and consistency in faculty titles across the university system. At the conclusion of the review, faculty will receive one of three titles: Global Campus Assistant Professor, Global Campus Associate Professor, or Global Campus Professor.

The committee comprises 26 members, with three co-chairs leading the effort. The committee meets weekly during the spring semester, and all reviews are scheduled for completion by March 11, 2026, to allow time for final approval steps in the professorial alignment process.

“This work is directly related to my ongoing service to both the College of Nursing and the university,” Rishel said. “The title alignment process we are using closely mirrors the university-level faculty promotion review process. It has strengthened my ability to support and mentor faculty in our college.”

Rishel brings more than 15 years of faculty experience to the College of Nursing, having earned her PhD from the college in 2010. She served as interim associate dean for faculty affairs for 18 months and currently serves on the Faculty Appointment, Promotion and Tenure (FAPT) committee. She also represents the College of Nursing as an elected senator in the U of A Faculty Senate, where she serves on committees focused on career-track faculty concerns.

In addition to her leadership in faculty governance, the college recognized Rishel’s expertise in health systems leadership by appointing her to develop the DNP program in Executive Health Systems Leadership, which enrolled its first cohort in fall 2020. She now serves as the program’s specialty coordinator, advising and supporting PhD students interested in leadership and organizational challenges within health systems. She has also contributed to the development of the college’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.

Lindsay Bouchard, DNP, PMHNP-BC, DNP program director and interim chair, said Rishel’s appointment reflects the trust she has earned across the university. “Dr. Rishel has long been a thoughtful mentor and advocate for faculty development,” Bouchard said. “Her experience navigating promotion processes and her collaborative leadership will be invaluable in ensuring a rigorous and equitable title-alignment process for UAGC faculty.”

Rishel says serving as co-chair reflects her continued commitment to faculty development and academic excellence. For her, the appointment is both an honor and a responsibility. “It is always helpful to have a clear understanding and appreciation of the full promotion process when providing support and mentoring to our faculty,” Rishel said. “This experience strengthens the guidance I provide and advances our college’s commitment to academic excellence.”