Kathleen A. Poindexter is the Assistant Dean for BSN programs and Faculty Development at Michigan State University, College of Nursing. Dr. Poindexter is an experienced academic leader and scholar focused on nursing workforce development and excellence in education. She led the development of an innovative nurse educator program to prepare expert nurse clinicians to sit for clinical specialty and educator certification. Additionally, she introduced an award-winning academic-clinical partnership model aimed at enhancing student competency development and facilitating their transition into professional practice. In her role as former chair of the National League for Nursing and Board of Commissioners, Dr. Poindexter leverages her relationships with thought leaders to raise awareness about the crucial role of nursing education in preparing a qualified nursing workforce. She actively participates in national and state workforce committees, engaging in discussions on complex issues such as education funding, systemic racism, well-being, and safety through the lens of social justice to promote health equity. Her research on entry-level nurse educator competencies has led to the development of a tool that guides academic preparation, further solidifying nurse educator as a specialized field of practice. Dr. Poindexter advocates for widespread adoption and validation of educator competencies to ensure that the future nursing workforce is well-prepared to meet the challenges of contemporary practice. Dr. Poindexter earned her BSN from the College of Saint Scholastica, MSN from Northern Michigan University, and PhD from Western Michigan University.