Top Photo: Spring 2025 Alpha Chapter Induction

Bottom Photo: June 2025-2026 Annual Alpha Chapter Leadership Transition and Business Meeting (Sigma Headquarters)

A message from the Alpha Chapter President:

Dear Alpha Chapter Members,

I am honored to continue to serve as your Alpha Chapter President (2024-2026). The Alpha Chapter Board is comprised of a talented group of accomplished professionals from academic and clinical practice settings. Dr. Kim Hodges from the IU Indianapolis campus has been elected as our President-Elect. Dr. Betsy Holtel also from IU Indianapolis will serve as our Vice President to oversee the planning of our programs and induction, Dr. Jamie Rausch from IU Fort Wayne will continue as the Secretary, and Dr. Susi Plough from the IU Kokomo campus will continue as our Treasurer. We are fortunate to have nine campus counselors and a nurse leader counselor who are dedicated to recruiting and welcoming new members to our chapter. The Alpha Chapter Board met in person at Sigma Headquarters for the Annual Leadership Transition and Business Meeting on June 3, 2025, to discuss our strategic plan and actualize goals for the coming year. Our goals are connected to Sigma President Sandra Bibb's exciting Call to Action, Represent. Member retention and engagement, educational offerings, and grant support remain important goals for our chapter. Please let us know how we can best serve you!

Alpha Chapter Counselors (with email information & campus) are:

Ford, Aisha

asago@iu.edu

Northwest

Marte, Alicia

alimarte@in.edu

Bloomington

Steward, Meredith

merestew@iu.edu

Columbus

Pugh, Tina

tinpugh@iue.edu

East

Bassett, Kristin

kdaub@iu.edu

Fort Wayne

Washington, Michelle

michwash@iu.edu

Indianapolis

 Langbehn, Savannah

savtunny@iu.edu

Indianapolis

Clem, Kassi

kjzeck@iuk.edu

Kokomo

Landis, Shelby

slgarber@iu.edu

Southeast

Ludy, Kristy

kludy@iu.edu

South Bend

Opsahl, Angela

agopsahl@iu.edu

Nurse Leader Counselor

Have you considered being a chapter leader? We have several committees from which you can choose to begin your journey as a chapter leader. Please contact us if you think chapter leadership is in your future and you would like to serve as a member of one of our committees listed below.

Alpha Chapter Committee Chairs:

Doerstler, Dreu

Awards Committee Chair

mddoerst@iu.edu

Obichi, Chidiebele

Governance Committee Chair

ccobichi@iu.edu

Doescher, Terry

Leadership Succession Committee Chair

doescher@iu.edu

Smith, Asa

Research Committee Chair

asasmit@iu.edu

We also want to know your thoughts about membership, future plans, educational needs, etc. The chapter leadership is here to serve our members, and we want all Alpha Chapter members to have a great experience. Please help us by sharing your thoughts. My email is tonpadge@iu.edu.

Meetings are on the fourth Monday of the month from 4:00-6:00 pm EST. If you are interested in attending a meeting, don't hesitate to get in touch with me, and I will forward you the phone number and conference Zoom link.

A special thank you to all members. We appreciate you! I look forward to serving you throughout my tenure as your Alpha Chapter President.

Tonja M. Padgett DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FIAAN 
Sigma, Alpha Chapter President
Assistant Dean & Clinical Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis
tonpadge@iu.edu   

Alpha Chapter is affiliated with Indiana University School of Nursing and has a proud history as the founding chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Alpha Chapter and Indiana University School of Nursing, 600 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202




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Chapter News

  • Spring 2026 Grant Opportunities

    By: Asa Smith Asa Smith , 22 days ago

    Are you looking for funds to further your research or evidence based-practice initiatives? The Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Chapter is pleased to announce the availability of the Research and Evidence-Based Practice Grants for the Spring 2026 cycle. Applications are due March 1st, 2026. Completed applications should be sent to Asa Smith (asasmit@iu.edu). 

    The two available grants are described below. 

    • Evidence-Based Practice Grant. This grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge through evidence-based practice (EBP) initiatives. The award provides funding to support the EBP efforts in a new or ongoing project. Both faculty and students are welcome to apply. Max $5,000 award.
    • Research Grant. This grant's purpose is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to nursing knowledge through research. Both faculty and students/postdoctoral fellows are welcome to apply. Max $5,000 award.

  • Winter Newsletter

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 2 months ago

  • Chapter Key Award

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 3 months ago

    The Sigma Biennial Convention this past weekend was amazing! There were so many wonderful presentations given and our chapter was strong in representation. We also got the Key Award for the 8th time!

  • Volunteer opportunities at Convention

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 4 months ago

    Sigma is pleased to offer a meaningful opportunity for local members to support the 2025 Convention, taking place 8–11 November 2025 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. We are seeking volunteers to serve in the following roles: 

    • Floating Moderators 
    • Event Greeters 
    • Marketplace Assistants 

    Detailed position descriptions, dates, times, and the sign-up on the Sigma Convention sign-up form. Members who volunteer will be able to participate in convention activities on their day of service. 

    We are accepting submissions through Monday, 3 November 2025. 

  • Alpha Chapter yearly open Board Meeting

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 9 months ago

    June 3rd at 12:00 PM

    Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: Join the meeting now  

    Meeting ID: 261 544 701 934 8  

    Passcode: 7za2BC9c 

  • Spring Newsletter

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 9 months ago

  • 2025 Alpha Chapter Leadership Ballot

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , 10 months ago

    Dear Alpha Chapter Members, 

    The 2025 Alpha Chapter leadership ballot is now open! Please take a moment and cast your votes for the following Alpha Chapter leadership positions utilizing the QR code or link below:

    • President Elect
    • Vice President
    • Treasurer
    • Secretary
    • Campus Counselors (Bloomington, Kokomo, IUI, and Fort Wayne)
    • Nurse Leader Counselor
    • Awards Committee Member

    Election ballot will be open through Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5pm.

    Thank you!

    Terry Doescher, DNP, RN, PCNS-BC
    Alpha Chapter Leadership Succession Chair

    https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_80QyRcb4lYSzWHs

  • Nurses Climate Challenge

    By: Tonja Padgett Tonja Padgett , one year ago

    The Alpha chapter has joined Nurses Climate Challenge. You can join the group "Climate and Health Community" on the Sigma Circle to learn more.

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