From Student to Dean: Dr. Myra Hart’s Full-Circle Journey at Ivy Tech

Dr. Myra Hart had just left the School of Nursing’s annual giving lunch before sitting down with us.

“Every January, during faculty week, we have this tradition where all faculty members donate $20 for a meal, and then we give the rest as a surprise tip to the server. This year, we ended up leaving a $250 tip. The server was so touched that she started crying. Turns out, she was the same server from last year and remembered us. She said she had a feeling what was coming and was so excited,” Dr. Hart shared with a smile.

Dr. Hart says transformative moments like these—which happen continuously for the School of Nursing faculty—are among the things she will miss the most when she retires from Ivy Tech in May after 20 years. This Spring Commencement will be her last.

Like many Ivy Tech alumni, Dr. Hart shared that the best thing that happened to her during her higher education journey was right here at Ivy Tech. That best thing was finding confidence within herself.

“Ivy Tech definitely gave me the boost of confidence that I needed,” Dr. Hart reflected. “I was a young student, unsure of myself, and didn’t think I could make it. But by the time I finished the program, I knew that I could do this, that I was ready to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) and become a nurse.”

Dr. Hart’s journey in nursing was, as she describes, “a bit accidental.” Raised in a family of healthcare professionals, including a mother and aunt who were nurses and a father who was a radiology technician, she initially pursued nursing for financial independence. However, she soon discovered a passion for the profession.

“I fell in love with nursing in a way I never expected,” Dr. Hart said. “It wasn’t my original plan. I actually wanted to design record album covers. But once I started working with patients, I knew I had found my calling.”

Her career took her through various roles in critical care, wound management, rehabilitation, and as a travel nurse. She worked across multiple specialties and even spent time in Baltimore before returning to Indiana to build a life and raise a family. Eventually, she realized her true passion was in education.

“I always found myself mentoring new nurses, developing training materials, and leading initiatives,” Dr. Hart said. “That’s when I knew I wanted to teach. So I took a leap and started as an adjunct instructor.”

She began her teaching career at Ivy Tech Terre Haute, her hometown, in 2004 as adjunct faculty before becoming full-time in 2006. From 2010 to 2014, she served as department chair. In 2015, she moved to Indianapolis and became the department chair for the School of Nursing in 2018. By 2022, she was named interim dean and was officially appointed as the Dean of the School of Nursing later that year.

Under her leadership, the School of Nursing underwent tremendous growth. She played a critical role in developing state and regional curricula, established a nursing tutoring and mentoring program, and built strong community partnerships. One of her proudest accomplishments was addressing the shortage of nursing faculty and support staff.

“When I took over as dean, we were short 11 faculty members, had no department chairs, no administrative assistant, and no admission or retention specialists,” Dr. Hart explained. “Now, we are fully staffed with 25 faculty members, department and program chairs, and support specialists. It’s the strongest team I’ve ever worked with.”

One of the best parts of teaching for Dr. Hart has always been the excitement from new students.

“My favorite part is just the newness—the fresh eyes, the excitement. Even when they’re scared, you can see the potential in them. I love that moment when they realize they are capable,” Dr. Hart said.

She recalled moments that demonstrated just how challenging the journey could be for students. 

“I remember finding a student hiding in supply closets, just terrified to face their clinicals. I had to coax them out, and remind them they could do this. Nursing school is intense, but those moments of fear turn into moments of triumph.”

Dr. Hart has been deeply impacted by her students’ struggles and perseverance. She has countless student stories that have affected her. She recalled one student, for example, who failed her class and was devastated by the setback. 

“She had already lined up a job out of state, put a deposit on an apartment, and was engaged. But she didn’t pass. She was crushed. I remember giving her tissues while she cried in my office,” Dr. Hart shared. 

The student ended up needing to retake the course that summer. 

“Months later, she wrote me a letter saying that failing was the best thing that ever happened to her. She ended up staying in Indiana, ended the engagement, working at a different hospital, and one day saved a man’s life. She told me, ‘Had I graduated on time, I wouldn’t have been there that day. And I wouldn’t have been ready to be a nurse.’”

Dr. Hart says Ivy Tech instructors want to help students help themselves. Whether that’s through teaching, removing barriers, opening doors of communication, or anything else, that’s exactly what she experienced firsthand as an alum and exactly what she always sought to offer her students.

“As educators, we don’t just impact one student at a time,” Dr. Hart reflected. “We are shaping nurses who will go on to care for countless patients and their families. The ripple effect is incredible.”

One of the most distinctive aspects of Ivy Tech’s nursing program (aside from being the place to graduate the highest number of associate-level nurses in the nation) is its diversity, which Dr. Hart championed throughout her tenure.

“Over 50% of our students speak English as a second language,” she said. “That’s almost unheard of in nursing programs, and it presents challenges that we work hard to address. Our faculty continuously innovates, researches, and implements strategies to support these students. That’s something I am incredibly proud of.”

Dr. Hart’s decision to retire was not easy, but it was deeply personal. The passing of her mother and uncle, as well as the realization that she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren, led her to step away from full-time leadership.

“I was planning my granddaughter’s birthday party, and it hit me that if I kept working at this pace, she would be eight years old before I knew it,” Dr. Hart said. “I knew it was time to prioritize family.”

Dr. Hart’s love for teaching and Ivy Tech is also profoundly personal. 

“Ivy Tech is my family,” she said. “It’s been my life for as long as I can remember.”

One person who played a significant role in her career was Kelly Gosnell, an associate professor of nursing at Ivy Tech for nearly 38 years. 

“Kelly and I started at Ivy Tech at the same time—her first semester as an instructor was my first semester as a student. Now, we’re both retiring at the same time! It’s really full circle,” she said.

It has been difficult for someone who has always considered herself a workaholic to step away from a career she loves. 

“I’m a workaholic who’s trying not to be a workaholic,” Dr. Hart admitted, laughing. Her son even joked that she was always at the computer—before he went to bed and still there when he woke up. “I love what I do, but I have to re-prioritize.”

Though she will be leaving her role as dean, Dr. Hart is not stepping away from education entirely. She plans to return to Ivy Tech as an adjunct professor in the future.

“I’m not done yet,” she laughed. “They’re already trying to get me back in some capacity. And I’m sure I’ll be back. Just not at the same intensity.”

For future nursing students, Dr. Hart has one crucial piece of advice: “Whatever you’re learning today is not what it will be tomorrow. Healthcare is constantly changing. Be flexible, embrace the change, and always keep learning.”

When asked what she hopes her faculty will remember most about her tenure, Dr. Hart’s response was simple:

“Fair, firm, and consistent. That’s what I’ve always aimed to be. It’s what I tell every new educator—be fair, firm, and consistent, and everything else will fall into place.”

As Dr. Hart prepares to close this chapter and embrace new adventures—including learning to play the bass guitar—her legacy at Ivy Tech will remain strong. Her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to nursing education have shaped countless students and faculty, leaving an impact that will be felt for years to come.