Meet The Executive Board

Javon is currently working towards his BSN at Frostburg State University. Most recently he has served on the MANS BOD as Secretary and as an NSNA Project InTouch recruiter. Javon is also a student member of the AAMN, ENA, and ANA and is affiliated with the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons. Javon spent last 5 years as a Clinical Technician in the ED at The Johns Hopkins Hospital where he also served as a clinical instructor and facilitator for their SOARING internship and has now transitioned to RN1. As President of MANS he hopes to build an even stronger bridge for the future for our nursing student community. After graduation he looks forward to becoming an ED nurse and pursuing his Master’s to become an informatics nurse and nurse educator.

Other Affiliations: Emergency Nurses Association, American Association of Men in Nursing, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons.

Jordan Iweala is a student nurse currently enrolled in Bowie State University’s traditional BSN program. He is also currently employed as an ortho/trauma patient care technician under the University of Maryland Medical System. 

 

Jordan is a member of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA); American Nurses Association (ANA); Maryland Nurses Association (MNA); American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN); Maryland Association of Nursing Students (MANS); National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA); and Bowie State University Student Nurses’ Association (SNA), where he has served as social media manager, social media liason, and regularly contributes to chapter events and organizational efforts.

 

Upon successful completion of his BSN program and NCLEX-RN licensure, Jordan hopes to matriculate into a critical care nursing role with hopes of furthering his education and pursuing an advanced practice role.

 

In his free time, he loves creating lifestyle social media content, exploring different cuisines, immersing himself in fun and thrilling experiences, and building relationships with students and leaders across the nursing spectrum!

The Treasurer shall:

a) act as custodian of organization’s funds and see that an annual fiscal report is prepared;

b) co-sign checks with the President of monetary disbursement as the Bylaws provides;

c) present a monthly Treasurer’s report at the business meetings;

d) be responsible for having the year end statement reviewed and presented to the Executive Board;

e) chair the scholarship committee; and

f) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.

 I’m Ariana Pena, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) student at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Virginia Tech and have a strong passion for patient advocacy, health equity, and leadership in nursing. I am one of the MSN representatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Advisory Council Board.

Currently, I’m working as a Student Nurse Extern in the Emergency Department at MedStar Harbor Hospital, where I’m gaining valuable experience in high-acuity, fast-paced care.

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Throughout my journey, I’ve served in various healthcare roles—from certified phlebotomist to CNA—and have also had the opportunity to coach, Pre-K Teacher, and mentor students with disabilities. These experiences have shaped my belief in inclusive, patient-centered care. I’m fluent in both English and Spanish and actively involved in student nursing organizations that prioritize advocacy for political changes, diversity, equity, and community service. Such as: National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), Emergency Nurse Association (ENA), and the National Student Nursing Association (NSNA). 

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As Secretary for the Maryland Nursing Association, I’m excited to contribute to clear communication, organized collaboration, and meaningful growth for nursing students across the state.

The Community Health Director shall:

a) organize and monitor statewide health projects as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board;

b) distribute Community Health projects information to all schools;

c) prepare an appropriate Community Health project, in conjunction with the Vice President, for Annual Convention;

d) assist schools with organizing health fairs and projects;

e) maintain accurate files, information, and supplies to future chair; and

f) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association

The Resolutions Chair shall:

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a) submit a resolution on behalf of MANS at the Annual NSNA Convention. This resolution may be submitted in conjunction with another NSNA member organization;

 

b) submit a resolution at the state level on behalf of MANS at the Annual MANS Convention; and c) perform such duties as assigned by

Duties:

a) work closely with the Executive Board;

b) make contacts with the medical and news media to promote all workshops, conventions, health projects, and the Annual Convention to assure good attendance;

c) maintain an active MANS webpage, and maintain and update all MANS social media sites;

d) organize initiatives geared toward the acquisition of vendors and sponsors for the Annual Convention, and delegating tasks as appropriate; and

e) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.

Duties:

a) promote to the public and Maryland Nursing School Chapters, activities of MANS which enhance the image of nursing and to create new ways for MANS to promote a professional, positive and realistic image of nursing among the nursing community in

Maryland; and

b) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.

Duties:

a) chair the Nominations Committee;

b) prepare a convention nominations slate and have all biographical information available to the membership at the annual meeting;

c) be responsible for screening the selection of nominees for office;

d) send biographical information and officer description to all schools;

e) work to fill positions on the Board in the event of resignation;

f) work in conjunction with the Secretary to compile an accurate mailing list of each school;

g) communicate monthly with all Board Members to maintain communication with schools;

h) assist schools, as needed to develop a membership recruitment period;

i) prepare membership incentive programs with the approval of the Executive Board;

j) be responsible for calculation of the number of delegates for each nursing program for the state convention in collaboration with the Executive Board;

k) contact, in writing, all constituency schools with the number of delegates, as identified by NSNA, that they will be allowed to have as representatives at the National

Convention; and

l) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.

The Breakthrough to Nursing Director shall:

a) implement the current NSNA Breakthrough to Nursing program in Maryland; and

 

b) perform such duties as assigned by the president in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.

a) be responsible for attending legislative meetings, e.g., Maryland Nurses Association legislative committee meetings;

b) keep all Board Members and the statewide membership informed of all important legislation;

c) send letters to legislators when needed to inform them of Association’s view on a bill;

d) write legislative alerts when needed;

e) chair the MANS legislative committee;

f) be responsible for producing changes to the Bylaws at the Annual MANS state convention, and for submitting the changes to NSNA as stated in Article XII; and

g) perform such duties as assigned by the President in accordance with the priorities and needs of the association.