Schools
Cecil College's Dr. Rash recipient of the Dr. Peg Daw Nurse Faculty Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions to nursing education and unwavering commitment to student success.
NORTH EAST, Md: Dr. Rhonda Roxanne Rash, Professor II of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing at Cecil College, has been honored this spring as the recipient of the prestigious Dr. Peg E. Daw Nurse Faculty Award from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
This award recognizes Dr. Rash’s outstanding contributions to nursing education and her unwavering commitment to student success. As one of just 69 full-time nursing faculty members statewide across 28 Maryland schools of nursing selected to be honored for 2026, Dr. Rash’s award for excellence demonstrated in key areas such as teaching, student impact, engagement, innovation, and contributions to the field comes with a $10,000 stipend.
Over her remarkable 36-year career at Cecil College, Dr. Rash has played an integral role in shaping the program’s success, a legacy she humbly attributes to the strength and dedication of the faculty. Among her many accomplishments was the development of an innovative winter-session clinical course in partnership with ChristianaCare, offering advanced nursing students hands-on experience in high-need hospital areas. The program’s success earned her the Nurse Support Program II Nursing Faculty Annual Recognition Award in 2022.
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“I have been most fortunate. Having the opportunity to teach at Cecil College for 36 years with some of the most dedicated and inspirational faculty members has been the most rewarding thing I could ever possibly imagine,” said Dr. Rash.
Deeply engaged across the College, Dr. Rash has served on multiple Middle States Accreditation Assessment cycles, chaired ACEN workshops, led NCLEX-RN reviews, and mentored both students and colleagues, all while fostering a supportive, approachable learning environment.
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Known for her compassion, she has made a lasting impact on students’ lives, guiding some through profound personal challenges to successful careers in nursing. She said the joy of staying connected with former students who continue to share their journeys is immeasurable.
As she prepares to retire in May 2026, she looks forward to remaining involved as a consultant and guest lecturer, easing into retirement while maintaining the student connections she cherishes.
