Barbara (Chapman) Achter (Class of 2025)
Barbara (Chapman) Achter, BS, MS, PhD, has focused on providing leadership for nursing education for almost 35 years.
Chapman began teaching nursing at The Ohio State University in 1968 on the sophomore level. In 1971 the nursing faculty developed a conceptual curriculum and practice lab with audio visuals that were implemented for the next sophomore class. In 1974, Chapman became the administrative coordinator of the sophomore level.
Chapman completed her PhD in Higher Education Administration in 1977. She served as a graduate research associate for National Programs for Educational Leadership at Ohio State from 1974 to 1975. Then from 1975 to 1977, she was the curriculum coordinator for nursing technology at Columbus State Community College.
Chapman was the founding chairperson and associate professor for the proposed department of nursing at Otterbein College, later known as Otterbein University. Between 1977 and 1982, she arranged curriculum support from the appropriate academic courses and provided leadership for planning, developing, implementing and obtaining NLN accreditation for an associate degree program (ASN) and later a baccalaureate (BSN) program. Original funding was from Grant Hospital, as the hospital planned to close its own nursing education program. Other highlights from this period include:
In 1981, Chapman served as the elected chairperson of the Professional Studies Division that included the departments of Nursing, Education, Home Economics and Physical Education.
From 1980 to 1982, Chapman served on many groups and boards to support nursing and nursing education in the mid-Ohio area. These groups were: Health Careers of Ohio Inc., Board of Directors; Education Consultant to Ohio Hospital Association, Department of Nursing Services Administrations Committee; Ohio Commission in Nursing Implementation Project for State-wide Planning for Nursing and Nursing Education: Education Task Force; Columbus Health Department Division of Nursing and Rehabilitation Advisory Board; Ohio Board of Regents-Peer Review Panel for proposals to establish new associate degree nursing programs; Ohio Board of Regents-Peer Review Panel for proposals to establish new baccalaureate nursing programs; Ohio Board of Nursing Education and Nurse Registration Advisory Committee on Nursing Education.
Chapman used her central Ohio academic experiences in three other academic settings in the latter twenty years of her career:
She was dean and professor for the School of Nursing at the College of New Jersey from 1982 to 1991. During Chapman’s tenure, a master’s degree in nursing program was added in 1990. The college also had an international program and grant funding made it possible to add international perspectives to selected courses and curricula.
From 1991 to 1998, she was dean and professor for the College of Health and Human Services at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. During Chapman’s tenure, undergraduate, graduate and two doctoral programs were offered including interdisciplinary certificate programs in gerontology and health policy.
She was vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan from 1998 to retirement in 2002. During Chapman’s tenure, associate, bachelor, master’s and doctorate degrees were offered.