College of Nursing DAISY Award 2024
Posted on February 25, 2025 by College of Nursing
Dr. Shannon Harris, assistant clinical professor of community mental health nursing, has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the USA College of Nursing DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty was created to celebrate the inspirational influence nursing educators have on the nurses of today and tomorrow.
“Receiving this recognition from the College of Nursing is both a profound honor and a deeply meaningful acknowledgment of my role as an educator, mentor and leader,” Harris said. “This award embodies the values at the heart of my teaching philosophy — excellence, compassion and unwavering commitment to student success. It is humbling to be recognized for making a lasting impact on students who will, in turn, touch the lives of countless patients and communities.
“This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue leading and teaching with passion, innovation and a commitment to excellence. Whether mentoring students, developing quality improvement initiatives, or fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, I am reminded that the work I do has a far-reaching impact. It is a privilege to guide future nurses as they develop into competent, compassionate professionals who will, in turn, shape the future of patient care.”
The DAISY Foundation was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes with the intention of being able to give back to the nurses who give so much of themselves to patients and families every day. Now, more than 4,500 academic and healthcare organizations are recognizing nurses around the world through The DAISY Award.
“Receiving the Daisy Award is also a moment of reflection on the profound influence of nursing education and the collective dedication of educators who shape this profession,” Harris said. “The DAISY portfolio certificate symbolizes a commitment to teaching, mentoring and advancing nursing excellence. The honoree pin serves as a lasting emblem of this recognition — not just of my efforts but of the shared passion among faculty devoted to the success of their students.”
In addition to a certificate and lapel pin, recipients also receive a hand-carved Healer’s Touch Sculpture crafted by Shona artisans in Zimbabwe. This traditional African stone sculpture reflects mythology, folklore and ancestral beliefs. Shona people are known to hold traditional healers in very high esteem.
“It is fitting that they carve these sculptures to honor nurses worldwide. Often placed in hospital healing gardens and lobbies, these sculptures serve as enduring tributes to the compassion and dedication of nurses,” Harris said.
Harris earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of South Alabama. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mobile and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. Additionally, she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from the University of Mobile and Paramedic certification from the University of South Alabama.