Griffin receives McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty at The W
Mississippi University for Women recognized Lisa Griffin, assistant professor of nursing, as the recipient of the McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty during spring commencement ceremonies held Friday, May 8.
“Lisa is a dedicated, creative and vital component of our undergraduate nursing program here at The W,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “I have worked alongside her, served as her department chair and now as her dean. I can wholeheartedly say she is deserving of this recognition, and her contributions to our programs are unmatched.”
Established in 2022, the McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty is presented annually to a faculty member in the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences who demonstrates outstanding dedication in teaching, scholarship and service — on campus and in the community.
“In every aspect of her role, Mrs. Griffin consistently goes above and beyond expectations. She embodies the qualities of an extraordinary faculty member — innovative educator, dedicated scholar, committed mentor and engaged community servant,” said Dr. Mary Helen Ruffin, ASN program chair at The W.
To be eligible for the award, recipients must have served at least two consecutive years as a nursing faculty member in the college and exhibit extraordinary passion and commitment in their professional roles.
“Receiving this award is truly humbling. Nursing education is far more than a job to me; it is a calling,” said Griffin. “One of the greatest privileges is watching students grow from their very first day in the program to graduation and later seeing them succeed as nurses, knowing I had a small part in their journey. The joy and fulfillment I receive from this profession are unmatched, so to be recognized for doing something I genuinely love is incredibly meaningful.
Griffin has been a faculty member at The W since 2015. Prior to joining the university, she worked as a nurse at North Mississippi Medical Center for a decade, including roles in home health and hospice, surgical service line administration, the post-anesthesia care unit and the medical-surgical unit.
She is also actively involved in several professional organizations including the Mississippi Nurses Association, Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, National League for Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau.
Within the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Griffin serves on the Recruitment Committee, Alumni Committee and Pinning Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Admission and Progression Committee, Curriculum Committee and Evaluation Committee for the Associate of Science in Nursing Department.
“Mrs. Griffin exemplifies the spirit of service, collaboration and leadership that this award seeks to recognize, particularly through her outstanding work with our university’s annual disaster drill,” said University Police Chief Randy Vibrock. “The disaster drill has become a hallmark learning event, and much of its success can be attributed to Mrs. Griffin’s dedication and leadership. She has played a central role in planning, coordinating and executing this large-scale initiative, which requires extensive collaboration across university departments, local agencies and community partners.”
Outside of university service, Griffin volunteers with the Houston High School Touchdown Club, Refuge Children’s Ministry and the Houston Middle School PTO.
Griffin earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in instructional leadership for nurse educators from the University of Alabama.
Griffin said, “I am sincerely grateful to the McLain family for establishing this award, and I am deeply appreciative and honored to receive it.”
The McLain Family Award for Extraordinary Faculty is supported by an endowment established by the Ralph McLain family.