Frontier Nursing University recently announced that two new members have been appointed to the university’s President’s Cabinet. Jenkins Michelle Lawhorn, DNP, CNM, RNC-OB, and Chris Turley, MS, BS, will serve on the President’s Cabinet throughout 2025.
FNU’s President’s Cabinet collaborates with the Board of Directors and university leadership to offer internal guidance and expertise on initiatives, policies, and operations that support FNU’s mission, vision, and culture of caring. To expand perspectives within the Cabinet, FNU adds two members on a rotating basis, one faculty and one staff member, to serve for a one-year term. Dr. Lawhorn and Turley will also be mentored by the members of the President’s Cabinet throughout the year, facilitating transparency and education about how leadership decisions are made.
Dr. Lawhorn is a two-time FNU graduate, obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in midwifery and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. A graduate of Clemson University, she holds additional certifications in inpatient obstetrics nursing and electronic fetal monitoring.
In addition to serving as a faculty member, Lawhorn continues to practice as a nurse-midwife at the University of North Carolina Health. She provides full-scope midwifery care in both the community and hospital settings. “As a former student, current preceptor, and faculty member at Frontier Nursing University, I hope to share my viewpoint based on my connections with the university to help influence future decision-making,” Dr. Lawhorn said.
“As an FNU Student Mentor, Student Interest Group Advisor, and Clinical Bound Team Lead, I plan to bring the transparent voice of our students to the Cabinet since they are the ones we serve. As a young faculty member, I would love to witness multiple leaders in action and learn from their complementary styles, strengthening my leadership style and skills.”
Chris Turley joined FNU in May 2019. He holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Eastern Kentucky University. Chris has over ten years of experience with federal grant management, program development, and marketing.
Turley earned the governor’s prestigious designation of a “Kentucky Colonel” for his community engagement work. He developed programs to help over 2,500 At-Promise participants gain vocational/technical skills to advance their careers and expand their opportunities.
While at Frontier, Turley has been instrumental in the execution of annual conferences, a quarterly speaker series, and in facilitating federal grant scholarship and stipend programs. He has co-chaired the faculty/staff council and the Mission and Philosophy committee. Currently, he serves on the Culture of Caring committee.
With their extensive backgrounds, these new President’s Cabinet members will help provide important insights and perspectives.
