THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
DANVILLE – For Angela Shaffer, stepping into the role of Dean of Nursing at Danville Area Community College feels like coming home — in more ways than one.
Officially beginning her leadership on January 2, 2025, Shaffer brings with her not only years of clinical nursing and teaching experience, but also a deep love for DACC and the community it serves.
Shaffer is originally from the small town of Royal, Illinois, and her nursing journey began close to home. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Parkland College, followed by her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN-ED), both from Western Governors University. Since becoming a registered nurse in 2007, she has worked in neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, pediatrics, home health, and medical-surgical nursing. But if you ask her where her heart is, she’ll tell you without hesitation: “My passion was working with moms and babies.”
Shaffer’s passion for nursing soon evolved into a love for teaching. “While working as a nurse, I absolutely loved every opportunity I had to teach others,” she says. “Teaching new parents to care for their babies, teaching nursing students, and precepting new nurses all brought me joy.” That realization inspired her to pursue her MSN in nursing education and begin what has become a fulfilling second career — preparing the next generation of nurses.
Angela first joined DACC in 2018 as a nursing instructor. But in 2022, opportunity knocked, and she accepted a position with Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, helping to build and launch a new BSN program from the ground up. While the work was rewarding and the Tennessee mountains were beautiful, Shaffer found herself longing for home. “Although I loved Tennessee and the work I did there, I missed home and family,” she shares. “I realized that if given the opportunity, I would move back.”
When the Dean of Nursing position opened at DACC, Shaffer knew it was her chance to return. “I was so excited,” she says. “Not only was it an opportunity to come home and be near my family, but also to return to a school and nursing department that I respected and wanted to work for again. Coming back to DACC Nursing has had a sense of coming home.”
Shaffer’s appointment comes at a special time for the college. In 2025, DACC will celebrate 25 years of nursing education. During that time, the program has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence, with accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), high pass rates on national licensure exams, and a 100 percent placement rate for graduates. Applications for the Fall 2025 nursing cohort are open now and due by May 30.
The Associate Degree Nursing program at DACC uses a multi-exit “ladder” approach, giving students the flexibility to exit after the first year with a Practical Nursing Certificate and qualify to take the NCLEX-PN exam — or continue to complete their associate degree and take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. Graduates leave DACC ready to work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, schools, and healthcare settings across the nation. Many continue their education, pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctoral degrees, fulfilling the program’s mission of lifelong learning.
And while nursing education is serious business, Shaffer brings with her a balance of professionalism and warmth that students, faculty, and staff will appreciate. Her focus as Dean is clear: “My priority is to support our incredible faculty and staff and facilitate their success,” she says. “The nursing program celebrates 25 years this year, and my goal is to lead the way to greater success in training nurses who will make a difference in our community.”
Outside of work, Shaffer is every bit as dynamic and interesting as she is in the classroom or clinical setting. She has been married to her husband, Scott, for 13 years and is a proud mother and grandmother. “Spending time with my family is my favorite!” she says with a smile.
In her downtime, she enjoys reading or listening to audiobooks, cycling — a newfound hobby — and tending to her garden. “Every spring, you can find me buying too much from the garden center and busy working in my yard,” she admits. Shaffer also loves animals and has four dogs. Her heart for service extends beyond nursing: she’s traveled to many countries on short-term mission trips and has lived in Guatemala and Belize.
As Shaffer settles into her new role, her enthusiasm and commitment to excellence are unmistakable. She knows the challenges and rewards that come with training future nurses. She also knows the impact those nurses will have on patients, families, and the community for years to come.
For those considering nursing as a career, Shaffer encourages them to look closely at DACC. “You can become a nurse with top-quality training, excellent faculty, and a supportive environment — all at a fraction of the cost of a university,” she says. “It’s an incredible opportunity, and the doors it opens are endless.”
With a strong leader like Angela Shaffer at the helm, the future of DACC’s nursing program looks brighter than ever.
For more information about the DACC Nursing program or to apply for the Fall 2025 cohort, visit www.dacc.edu/depts/nursing or contact the DACC Nursing Department at (217) 443-8553 or nursing@dacc.edu. Applications are due by May 30, 2025.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties. DACC’s main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
