KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 12, 2026

From pediatric and school nursing to academia, Kennesaw State University assistant professor Alyson Epp has made a career of working with younger people.

Her research into retaining nurses and professional identity among nurses helped make her the first recipient of the Jane J. Yarbrough Nursing Fellowship in KSU’s Wellstar School of Nursing. Epp earned the fellowship, which began with the Fall 2026 semester, for her expertise in professional practice and retention.

“The intent of the fellowship was to support research that would help promote retention of nurses at the bedside” she said. “When I learned about it through a faculty mentor, I immediately saw a connection to my own research interests around supporting nurses’ transition to practice with retaining nurses and strengthening the workforce.”

The fellowship was established in 2024 by retired communications professional and KSU benefactor Dick Yarbrough as a tribute to his late wife, Jane, a nurse for Delta Airlines and Piedmont Hospital. Jane was also a KSU nursing alum who earned her degree in her early 40s, once their two children were in college. Through the fellowship, Epp will also present her research at the 10th annual International Nurse Education Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, in early November.

“I am pleased that Dr. Alyson Epp has been recognized for her study of retaining nurses in hospital environments with an invitation to present her research in Edinburgh,” Yarbrough said. “It is an acknowledgment of the expertise found in the Wellstar School of Nursing at KSU, and it is personally rewarding since my wife’s family is from Edinburgh, a place she loved very much.”

Epp said the study marks the evolution of her research, adding professional identity among nurses as one of the factors impacting retention. Her study findings are being used by the Wellstar School of Nursing as they develop a new and innovative curriculum that includes leadership seminars each semester. These courses will help students explore what it means to be a nurse and develop their own professional identity.

“We wanted to be intentional from the beginning about encouraging self-care, values, and ethics, building them in as students progress so they have a professional identity toolkit when they graduate,” Epp said. “We've talked to new grads and they said, ‘These are things I wish I'd had.’”

Originally a pediatric nurse for 15 years, Epp joined the KSU faculty part time in 2019 before becoming full time in 2022. She said while she has enjoyed the teaching aspects, she has tapped into the University’s emphasis on research.

“KSU goes above and beyond to support faculty research,” she said. “From opportunities to work with students through First-Year Scholars to helping us make connections with colleagues across departments, the university provides resources to help us conduct our research and share our findings. It’s a very supportive environment.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.