Kader Tekkas-Kerman, PhD, RN
I am an Assistant Professor at California State University, Northridge, where I have been teaching for nearly four years. I bring over 20 years of nursing experience, beginning my career in a Cardiovascular ICU and later working on a medical-surgical floor, experiences that shaped my commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. I earned my PhD in Nursing from the University of Washington, a transformative experience that shaped my path as both an educator and researcher. With more than 13 years of teaching experience, I am passionate about creating engaging learning environments where students feel empowered to grow and find their voice in nursing.
My research focuses on gender equality, intimate partner violence, and health equity. I co-developed the Social Abuse Scale, a validated tool gaining international recognition and cross-cultural adaptation. My work has been recognized with several honors, including the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission, and an Outstanding Teaching Award, and multiple first-place poster awards.
I’ve been a member of Sigma since 2013 and currently serve as Chair of the Leadership Succession Committee for the Gamma Tau at-Large Chapter and as a member of the communications committee. Being part of this community has been meaningful to me, especially in supporting leadership and connection within nursing.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking care of my (many!) indoor and outdoor plants, and traveling whenever I get the chance. I’m married, have one lovely daughter who is truly the center of my world, and a cat who keeps life lively.
What keeps me motivated is the idea that learning and growth are ongoing, for myself, my students, and the communities we serve. I often come back to Maya Angelou’s words: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."