Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ACUE, ANEF Department Chair of Nursing, North Carolina Central University

Associate Professor and Department Chair of Nursing, Chair-Elect, National League for Nursing

Dr. Yolanda M. VanRiel is the Department Chair of Nursing at North Carolina Central University. She earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Richmond Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also earned an Interdisciplinary Certificate in Healthcare Disparities from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Administration from Queens University of Charlotte. A Fellow in the NLN Academy of Nursing Education, Dr. VanRiel is also a certified nurse educator, oncology nurse certified and board certified medical-surgical nurse. Her research areas are nursing education, provider-patient communication, health disparities, and oncology. She has numerous presentations, publications, and grants.

Dr. VanRiel is a leader in several organizations including the National League for Nursing (NLN) Board of Governors Chair-Elect (2023-2025), At-Large position (2020-2023), and the North Carolina League for Nursing (NCLN) Past President. She was a North Carolina Board of Nursing member representing the BSN and Higher Education (2015-2019) and served as Vice Chair of the NCBON (2018-2019).