Dr. Theresa Noonan is the Simulation Coordinator on the Experiential Learning Team at the University of Colorado College of Nursing, where she manages the day-to-day operations of the nursing simulation program. She brings clinical experience in Labor and Delivery and a background in nursing education, simulation pedagogy, and nursing informatics. Her areas of scholarly interest include simulation operations, simulation evaluation, and the use of technology to enhance learning and improve patient outcomes. She is certified in Inpatient Obstetrics and is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE).

Dr. Heather Ponicsan completed her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Colorado while branching into clinical education as a clinical scholar and teaching assistant. Her nursing interests surround patient-centered care and community-based nursing leading her to work in a variety of settings, from mental health substance use, wound care to corrections. As the Assistant Director of the Experiential Learning Team Dr. Ponicsan uses her diverse experiences to enhance the simulation experience of students and to advocate for the continued growth of simulation throughout the college’s program.

Dr. Fara Bowler transforms nursing education at the University of Colorado College of Nursing where she serves as Assistant Dean of Clinical Simulation Science and Senior Director of Clinical Partnerships. For more than a decade she has advanced innovative training experiences that prepare students for the realities of healthcare.

With a master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Johns Hopkins Dr. Bowler combines academic expertise with a deep commitment to advancing simulation. A Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, she has twice been elected to the INACSL Board of Directors where she led an international team in developing professional standards that are now used around the world. Her latest innovation—a behavioral health curriculum delivered through virtual reality—reaches more than 800 students each semester and represents a model for how immersive technology can transform learning. In recognition of her impact Dr. Bowler received the INACSL Academic Excellence Award in 2025, highlighting her contributions to advancing nursing education through both scholarship and practice. Dr. Bowler’s work is characterized by a blend of leadership innovation and vision. She not only creates and implements cutting-edge simulation strategies but also shapes the future of nursing education by ensuring learners develop the clinical judgment adaptability and compassion needed in today’s healthcare system. Her contributions extend beyond the classroom and the lab—her work strengthens the pipeline of highly prepared nurses improves patient outcomes and helps reimagine the future of nursing education.