Biography
Dr. Sandra Ojurongbe is an Associate Professor and board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 34 years of combined clinical and academic experience. Her teaching experience includes both undergraduate and graduate courses. Her teaching philosophy is guided by Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” This verse highlights her dedication to excellence in education and nursing, emphasizing that pursuing knowledge and skill in nursing is ultimately an act of service to God and humanity. It reflects the calling to care for all people with compassion, integrity, and diligence, upholding the highest standards to ensure patients receive the best care.
During her doctoral studies, she was awarded a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship through the Minority Fellowship Program, a prestigious grant-funded opportunity supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This fellowship provided advanced training in behavioral health practice, education, and health policy, further solidifying her psychiatric mental health nursing expertise.
Dr. Ojurongbe’s research interests focus on the mental health of Afro-Caribbean immigrants, schizophrenia risk factors, and culturally sensitive interventions for peripartum depression. She has also contributed to international nursing education, working with ECWA College of Nursing in Nigeria to enhance nursing curricula.
Beyond teaching and research, Dr. Ojurongbe actively participates in university governance and faculty leadership. She served as a University Senator for the School of Nursing (SON) and has chaired the Institutional Review Board (IRB), overseeing ethical research practices. Within the SON, she has held leadership roles on various committees dedicated to curriculum development, student learning outcomes, and student success initiatives.
Dr. Ojurongbe’s dedication to mental health advocacy extends beyond academia. She serves on the Mental Health America of the Palm Beaches Board, supporting mental health initiatives where everyone can achieve their full potential. Additionally, she is an active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outreach and Education Committee and mentors new graduate nurses through the American Nurses Association (ANA). She has long-standing membership in several nursing organizations: the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), and Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI).
Degrees
PhD in Nursing, Florida Atlantic University | MSN in Nursing Education, Florida Atlantic University | BSN in Nursing Education, Florida Atlantic University