Members on the Move

Maxine Adegbola, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, ADSL is a Clinical Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing and Health Innovation whose career exemplifies service leadership, professional generosity, mentorship, and advocacy. Over nearly five decades in nursing, she has distinguished herself through sustained service to local, national, and international organizations dedicated to advancing nursing education, healthcare equity, leadership development, and community well-being. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs and is the coordinator of Nursing Honors program.

A hallmark of Dr. Adegbola's career is her unwavering commitment to service as a scholarly and professional responsibility. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in servant leadership, collaboration, and the belief that professional success is strengthened through the intentional development of others. Through mentoring, advocacy, policy engagement, and community partnerships, she has consistently created opportunities for students, faculty, nurses, and community members to grow as leaders and change agents.

Dr. Adegbola has provided extensive service to national nursing organizations, including the National League for Nursing (NLN), where she serves on the Public Policy Committee, contributes as a research grant reviewer, and previously served on review panels for the Academy of Nursing Education Fellowship (ANEF). She is a Fellow in the NLN Academy of Nursing Education and a Certified Nurse Educator. Her leadership and service have also been recognized through participation in the NLN LEAD program and many national initiatives focused on nursing education and workforce development. She is also an associate editor of Creative nursing journal.

Her contributions to the Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF) span more than fifteen years and include service as Executive Board Member, Awards Committee Chair, Public Policy Committee member, Journal Co-Editor, manuscript reviewer, conference abstract reviewer, mentor, and member of multiple organizational committees. She was selected as an inaugural fellow in the Gloria J. McNeal Leadership and Public Policy Mentoring Fellowship and now serves as a mentor to emerging policy scholars. Through these roles, she has advanced leadership development, policy engagement, and scholarly excellence among nurse educators nationwide.

Dr. Adegbola has also demonstrated long-standing leadership within the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and the Metroplex Black Nurses Association (MBNA). As Chair of the MBNA Public Policy Committee and a member of the Executive Board, she promotes legislative advocacy, health equity initiatives, workforce development, and community engagement. Her contributions to nursing advocacy and community service were recognized through both Lifetime Membership in NBNA and the MBNA Lifetime Achievement Award.

At the policy level, Dr. Adegbola actively engages with local, state, and national leaders to advance healthcare and nursing priorities. Her service includes participation in legislative advocacy efforts, nursing Capitol Day activities, and initiatives designed to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve healthcare access. In 2026, she was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Eddie Bernice Johnson Health Equity Policy Scholars Institute, reflecting her growing leadership in health policy and advocacy.

Internationally, Dr. Adegbola extends her service through healthcare missions and global partnerships. Since 2016, she has participated in medical missions in Jamaica and West Africa, providing healthcare services, health education, and community support to underserved populations. She is also an active member of the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Professional Associates (IASCNAPA), contributing to international efforts to improve care, education, advocacy, and awareness for individuals living with sickle cell disease.

Within academia, Dr. Adegbola has built a legacy of service through mentorship and leadership development. As Coordinator of the Undergraduate Nursing Honors Program at UTA, she mentored honors students in research, scholarship, service-learning, and community engagement. She founded the Nurse Educator Advancement Network (NEAN), a mentoring and faculty development initiative that promotes leadership growth, scholarly productivity, and professional advancement among nurse educators. Her concept of Scholarly Tailgating has become a guiding framework for professional generosity, developmental networking, and collaborative success.

Dr. Adegbola's sustained record of service leadership has been recognized through numerous honors, including induction into the University of Texas at Arlington Academy of Distinguished Service Leaders (ADSL), a lifetime distinction recognizing exceptional contributions to university, professional, and community service. Across local communities, professional organizations, healthcare systems, and international partnerships, she continues to champion service as a catalyst for leadership, equity, collaboration, and lasting societal impact.

Recently, Dr Adegbola was selected as a 2026 fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and will be inducted October 2026.