President

Hi! My name is Kyndall Estep, and I am honored to serve as the NCANS President for 2024-2025. I take great pride in this role, working alongside amazing individuals to educate and support nursing students across North Carolina. Last year, I served as the Breakthrough to Nursing Co-Director and a Director at Large on the NCANS board.

I am currently a BSN student at UNC Chapel Hill, set to graduate in May 2025. At the school level, I also serve as the President of the UNC Association of Nursing Students. My involvement extends to volunteering with UNC’s Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) and representing the UNC School of Nursing as a Student Ambassador.

Originally from Lexington, NC, I enjoy spending my time gardening, raising chickens, traveling, and being with my family. After graduation, I plan to work in a critical care setting before pursuing further studies in nursing business, leadership, and education.

Vice President

Secretary

I’m so excited to be serving you as your secretary on the 24-25 NCANS board of directors. I started my nursing journey at Wake Tech Community College (Go Eagles!) and am continuing my education at UNC this fall. Go Tarheels!

I’ve always felt called to serve my community and I chose to pursue a career in nursing as a way to do so, after witnessing nurses in my community and across the United States drive positive change through clinical practice, leadership, and efforts to influence health policy during the 2020 pandemic. After getting my BSN, I hope to make an impact at the bedside and eventually continue my education to become a pediatric NP serving rural areas in the state.

During my term, I’m looking forward to contributing and learning from the great team we have on this year’s board. Together, I hope we can be a resource to uplift and empower our fellow NC nursing students.

Treasurer

I'm excited to serve as the Treasurer on the NCANS board! As a rising senior at UNC Chapel Hill, I'm really passionate about pediatric nursing and hope to further my education in this field. In my free time, I love playing pickleball and running. I can't wait to see what we achieve this year and am looking forward to all we can accomplish together.

Breakthrough to Nursing Chair

I am deeply passionate about the potential for student advocacy to catalyze positive change in nursing breakthroughs. My extensive background in leadership roles both on and off campus has equipped me with the skills and vision necessary to excel in this position.

Having served as my school chapter President, mentored youth in Zone 1 schools, and guided students through the honors college here on campus, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of fostering diversity, inclusivity, and mentorship.

Now, I'm eager to leverage these experiences to serve as a catalyst for change within NCANS!

Publications Director

My name is Alicia, I am currently a BSN 1 at UNC Chapel Hill SON, and I am so excited to start this journey as NCANS’ Publications Director. I hope to use this position to advocate for all nursing students to be well-informed throughout all their studies through our Instagram page (northcarolina_ans), this new website, and our quarterly publication, the Hypodermic. Outside of NCANS, professional goals of mine include becoming a travel nurse and one day a NP.

Legislative Director

Hello, my name is Anna Kate Willis. I have the honor of serving as your legislative director! I'm currently a senior nursing student at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. I'm passionate about nursing and advocating for change. I'm looking forward to connecting with nurses, legislators, and students to educate and push for improvements in nursing practices. My goal is to earn my DNP and work with underserved communities locally and internationally. Outside of nursing, I love spending time with my dogs, taking photos, reading, and watching movies. If you're interested in legislation, check out the resource tab labeled "All Things Legislation."

Director at Large

Director at Large

My name is Jen and I am currently enrolled in Cabarrus College’s Accelerated BSN program! Following graduation, I hope to gain experience as a nurse in pediatrics. Some of my favorite things to do are spending time with friends and family, going to the beach or lake, and trying new coffee shops! I am excited to be a part of the NCANS Board and be able to support future nurses across North Carolina!

Director at Large

RJin Atienza is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill. As one of the directors at large, RJin hopes to promote communication and outreach towards other nursing school, helping them get more involved with NCANS and the events they put out. After graduation, he hopes to work as an ED nurse for a while to get some experience and hopefully pursue a DNP/PhD dual degree in the future. When he has free time, RJin likes to watch horror videos in the dark while bundled up in blankets, and hanging out with his best friends.

Director at Large

Director at Large

I am excited to be serving as a Director at Large. I am beginning my nursing journey in the Fall at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. I am a cheerleader at Catawba and a licensed cosmetologist! Some of my favorite things are tennis, hanging out with friends and family, and vacationing! While I do not have much experience with nursing, I can't wait to get started. I am excited to be a part of the NCANS Board!

State Consultant

My name is Nancy Jo Thompson, and I am thrilled to serve my third year as NCNA Consultant to NCANS! I am a full-time assistant professor in the SON at UNC-CH and I work PRN as an Administrative House Supervisor at UNC Chatham Hospital. I am excited to share diverse healthcare experience, including organizational leadership, maternal health, critical care, education, and simulation with the future nurses of NC! My scholarly work includes developing a series of Patient-Centered Modules for PAHO/WHO and the Support, Uplifting Communication, Collaboration, and Education to Sustain Success (SUCCESS) Mentor Model, which focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining the nursing workforce. I am truly honored and humbled to mentor NCANS members and future nurses! I love travel (anywhere), kayaking, hiking, and spending time with family.

State Consultant

My name is Lisa Davis Snow, and I am excited to serve my second term as NCNA Consultant to NCANS!

Currently I am full time faculty at Randolph Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program in Asheboro, NC. I also serve as the faculty advisor for RCC’s Student Nurses Association. I am a retired nurse manager from Atrium Health at CHS-Anson. In my over 40 years as a registered nurse, my practice focus has been in the areas of medical/surgical nursing, leadership, continuing education, training and development, and academics. I believe myself to be an example of a lifelong learner, with graduate degrees in Organizational Change and Leadership, Adult Education and of course Nursing. My DNP capstone project was on the impact faith community nurses have on post-acute care patient discharge instructions, patient education and associated patient satisfaction. I also served as a member of the North Carolina Nurses Association Board of Directors for two terms from 2015 – 2019. I am truly honored to serve as a mentor to NCANS members, to all future nurses, and be a liaison for faculty advisors.

My other interest includes quality time with my family and friends (which includes my boxer Bella), food and flower gardening, and all forms of art.