Chair and Professor of Nursing, Sacred Heart University Nursing Program.

Dr. Barker received an Ed.D. in Nursing Executive Role from Teachers College, Columbia University, an MSN in Cardiovascular Nursing from Catholic University of America, and a BSN from the University of Virginia. Dr. Barker has served on the faculty at Sacred Heart University since 1987. Her primary areas of teaching are leadership and management and nursing research. She is a pioneer and leader in the development and implementation of online courses and has written several articles on instructional design and faculty development for online learning.

Dr. Barker is the author of three books on Transformational Leadership: Transformational Nursing Leadership: A Vision for the Future; Leadership in Dietetics: Achieving a Vision for the Future. Her most recent book was released in 2006: Leadership Role Competencies for Clinical Manager. She is also the author of several articles on the same topic.

Prior to joining Sacred Heart University she worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 15 years, and was the Chief Nursing Officer for 6 years.

Quote: If you can dream it you can do it.  Always remember this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse.  Walt Disney