Kara Fenne
Associate Professor of Nursing; Chairperson Department of Nursing
Contact +1 630 637 5860
klfenne@noctrl.edu
Office Location
Seybert Hall #201
Office Hours
By Appointment
Kara Fenne, DNP, RN, CNE is Chair of the Department of Graduate Nursing at North Central College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa, her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Clarke University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Executive Leadership from Indiana University. Her doctoral project focused on strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations to enhance clinical learning experiences for prelicensure nursing students while supporting staff nurse engagement.
Dr. Fenne joined North Central College in 2023 as Coordinator of the Master of Science in Nursing Executive Leadership track and now serves as Chair of the Department of Graduate Nursing, where she provides strategic leadership for the College's graduate nursing programs.
With more than 30 years of nursing experience, Dr. Fenne has practiced in oncology, community health, school nursing, home care, and hospice. She is also an accomplished nurse educator and academic leader, having served in a variety of leadership roles within nursing education and healthcare. As a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), she has extensive teaching experience in nursing leadership, healthcare ethics, health policy, and population health.
Dr. Fenne is passionate about mentoring and coaching students and faculty, fostering an environment that promotes professional growth, leadership development, and lifelong learning. She is committed to preparing graduate nurses who will serve as innovative, compassionate, and transformational leaders in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Fenne resides in St. Charles, Illinois, with her husband and their three dogs. They have three adult sons. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, music, and hiking.
Selected Scholarship
Kara Fenne, DNP, RN, CNE is Chair of the Department of Graduate Nursing at North Central College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa, her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Clarke University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Executive Leadership from Indiana University-Indianapolis. Her doctoral project focused on strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations to enhance clinical learning experiences for prelicensure nursing students while supporting staff nurse engagement.
Dr. Fenne joined North Central College in 2023 as Coordinator of the Master of Science in Nursing Executive Leadership track and now serves as Chair of the Department of Graduate Nursing, where she provides strategic leadership for the College's graduate nursing programs.
With more than 30 years of nursing experience, Dr. Fenne has practiced in oncology, community health, school nursing, home care, and hospice. She is also an accomplished nurse educator and academic leader, having served in a variety of leadership roles within nursing education and healthcare. As a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), she has extensive teaching experience in nursing leadership, healthcare ethics, health policy, and population health.
Dr. Fenne is passionate about mentoring and coaching students and faculty, fostering an environment that promotes professional growth, leadership development, and lifelong learning. She is committed to preparing graduate nurses who will serve as innovative, compassionate, and transformational leaders in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Fenne resides in St. Charles, Illinois, with her husband and their three dogs. They have three adult sons. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, music, and hiking.