Neighbor News
Cecil College professor receives state recognition
Recognized for work in the development of mental health resources at Cecil College and the surrounding community.
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NORTH EAST, Md. – The nursing program at Cecil College remains among the best within Maryland due to dedicated faculty members like Mary Knarr, MS, RN. This devotion to the success of Cecil’s students would account for her most recent recognition.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission announced this month that Knarr is the 2020 recipient of the Nurse Annual Faculty Recognition (NAFR) Award. This year’s honorees included 13 faculty, seven of which were from community colleges.
The NAFR Award is presented annually to nursing faculty for their work in five categories: 1. Excellence in Teaching; 2. Impact on Students; 3. Engagement in the Nursing Program and employing Institution; 4. Innovation in Education & Technology; 5. Contributions to Nursing Education.
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Knarr, an Associate Professor of Nursing, has been recognized in the category of Impact on Students, having demonstrated excellence in teaching, innovation and leadership in the nursing program. She was just one of two nursing faculty recognized in this category for her work with the Center of Mind-Body Medicine at Allegany Community College, where she was trained in techniques to reduce opioid addiction in the community and on college campuses.
“Mind-Body Medicine techniques have been used for years to help people deal with trauma and were founded on research focusing on the connection between the mind and body, which can have an impact on health,” said Knarr. “I have long recognized our students have mental health resources at the College and in our community. This has been an interest of mine, partly because I have worked in psychiatric nursing all of my career and partly because of my desire for our community to have the resources they need. While not the answer for serious mental health issues, these groups offer students the support that some may need to cope with the stresses of life.”
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A full-time faculty member at Cecil College since the inception of the nursing program in August 1981, Knarr is an integral part of the nursing program as well as the Cecil College community. Since attending two workshops last year before the pandemic hit, she has co-facilitated support groups focused on mental health along with other Cecil College employees who attended the same training.
“As a result of Mary’s training, the Mind-Body sessions will provide support for students’ stressors while attending College. Students can use their knowledge and understanding from the sessions to develop effective coping strategies for school, work, and home life,” said Dr. Nancy Norman-Marzella, Dean of Health and Human Sciences. “Her ability to increase awareness and advocate for mental health has been an exceptional contribution to our nursing program and the college, and we are looking forward to the positive outcomes from her Mind-Body sessions.”
Knarr earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a Master of Science degree from the University of Delaware. She has completed additional graduate studies at Millersville University, University of Delaware, and Widener University. She is planning on being certified by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine later this year.
The NAFR award comes with a grant that will enable Knarr to continue her work on student mental health. The funds will cover the expense of professional development and continuing education to maintain credentials for the betterment of Cecil College’s students.
“I plan to offer these groups to students for many years, even after I retire. It is my sincere hope that these groups can have a positive impact on students, give them the tools they need to better manage the rigors of college, and help them develop coping skills that can guide them throughout their life,” said Knarr.