- 513-745-1907
- Cohen 103
- ML Cohen 157
Kesha Nelson, PhD, MSN/Ed, RN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, ADHD-CCSP
Assistant Professor, PMHNP Track Coordinator
Dr. Kesha Marie Nelson is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, nurse educator, researcher, and healthcare leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience spanning psychiatric-mental health, pediatrics, maternal-child health, nursing education, and healthcare leadership. She currently practices in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and serves as an Assistant Professor and Track Coordinator for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Xavier University.
Dr. Nelson earned her PhD in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in healthcare education from the University of Phoenix and completed post-master’s preparation as a Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Northern Kentucky University. Her scholarly and professional interests include child and adolescent mental health, Black mental health, health disparities, nursing education, ADHD, suicide prevention, and improving access to culturally responsive psychiatric care.
An experienced academic leader, Dr. Nelson has taught undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing students and previously served as PMHNP Concentration Coordinator at Northern Kentucky University. Her contributions to nursing education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement have been recognized through honors including the Association of Black Nursing Faculty Excellence in Innovation in Teaching Award, the Northern Kentucky University MSN Clinical Excellence Award, and Cincinnati Children’s Burton R. Pease Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership.
Beyond clinical practice and academia, Dr. Nelson is deeply committed to advocacy and community service. She serves as Director of Mental Health on the Board of Directors for The BLACK Collaborative, Inc., mentors future nurses, and maintains active involvement in professional and service organizations, including Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated; Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated; the Association of Black Nursing Faculty; and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Through clinical practice, education, research, mentorship, and advocacy, Dr. Nelson remains dedicated to advancing mental health equity and strengthening the health and well-being of children, families, and historically underserved communities.
- 513-745-1907
- Cohen 103
- ML Cohen 157
Dr. Kesha Marie Nelson is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, nurse educator, researcher, and healthcare leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience spanning psychiatric-mental health, pediatrics, maternal-child health, nursing education, and healthcare leadership. She currently practices in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and serves as an Assistant Professor and Track Coordinator for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Xavier University.
Dr. Nelson earned her PhD in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in healthcare education from the University of Phoenix and completed post-master’s preparation as a Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Northern Kentucky University. Her scholarly and professional interests include child and adolescent mental health, Black mental health, health disparities, nursing education, ADHD, suicide prevention, and improving access to culturally responsive psychiatric care.
An experienced academic leader, Dr. Nelson has taught undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing students and previously served as PMHNP Concentration Coordinator at Northern Kentucky University. Her contributions to nursing education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement have been recognized through honors including the Association of Black Nursing Faculty Excellence in Innovation in Teaching Award, the Northern Kentucky University MSN Clinical Excellence Award, and Cincinnati Children’s Burton R. Pease Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership.
Beyond clinical practice and academia, Dr. Nelson is deeply committed to advocacy and community service. She serves as Director of Mental Health on the Board of Directors for The BLACK Collaborative, Inc., mentors future nurses, and maintains active involvement in professional and service organizations, including Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated; Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated; the Association of Black Nursing Faculty; and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Through clinical practice, education, research, mentorship, and advocacy, Dr. Nelson remains dedicated to advancing mental health equity and strengthening the health and well-being of children, families, and historically underserved communities.
First Year at Xavier
2026