Our History

Mattie Mason, a 1978 graduate, joined the Nurses Alumni Chapter in 2007 and has been a life member since 2011. In 2010 she developed and implemented the I.M.P.A.C.T. Mentor Program for the Alumni. She has served as the Financial Secretary, Chairperson of Membership Committee, Chairperson for Prayer Breakfast, 2014 Chairperson for Selection Subcommittee of Scholarship Luncheon, initiated the Walterene Reed Scholarship in 2006, and has been a participating member of several committees. Her goal as President is: Teamwork with Excellence- “Always Strive to Autograph Your Teamwork with Excellence. With teamwork she plans to increase membership, re-implement the mentoring program, implement education programs, continue with the centennial celebrations, increase donations, and utilize technology to expand the chapter to a new level.

Viola Hebert, RN, BSN, MA is a 1974 graduate of Prairie View A&M University. She is a dedicated Alumni to PVAMU and has been a member of PV Nurses Alumni Chapter for over 30 years. She serves as Vice-President of the PV Nurses Alumni Chapter and Chair of the I.M.P.A.C.T. Mentorship Program. As Vice-President she presides in the absence of the President, assists as needed and has oversight of Chapter Program Committees. Collaboration between the PVCON faculty, staff and students along with the PVNAC Alumni is critical in her role as Mentorship Program Chair. In April 2020, she founded #HoustonNursesTogether, representing a collaboration of Colleges of Nursing (BSN or higher) partnering to recognize and celebrate the contributions of nurses in The Year of the Nurse and Nurse Midwife 2020. Viola obtained the Master of Arts in Industrial Psychology from St. Mary’s University. With the marriage of Professional Nursing (caring for the sick) and Industrial Psychology (caring for people at work), her career has been and continues to be expansive and very diverse. 

 Letha Mosley, a 1977 graduate, joined the Nurse’s Alumni chapter in 2013. She has served as the Recording Secretary, Chairperson of the Prayer Breakfast, and Chairperson of the Constitution and By-Laws committee. She feels finance is vital to the operations of the organization. Her role as the Financial Secretary is to keep an accurate record of all income for the treasurer’s financial records. Work with the Finance Committee concerning the fiscal affairs of the Chapter. Also, she will be serving as the Membership Chair. The membership committee role is the recruitment and retention of members into the Nurses Alumni Chapter. One of the goals for membership is to engage chapter members in the recruitment plans.  Work with new members to provide their expertise and talents to assist with duties as necessary. 

Dr Mitchell is a 1984 graduate of Prairie View A & M College of Nursing. She earned a Master of Science in Health Education from Texas Southern University, Master of Business Administration from TWU and a Doctor of Education from Texas Southern University. She is ANCC Board Certified Nurse Executive. She is currently a member of ANA, American Organization of Nurse Leaders and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Her role as Correspondence Secretary is to keep the membership abreast of upcoming events.

 Cecil Brewer joined the alumni in 1979 and has been an active Board Member more than 25 years. He is chairperson of the Career Expo Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.  His main goal as historian is to keep records of historical events within the Chapter and of former College of Nursing graduates. He accomplishes this by establishing and maintaining accurate records and by attending important functions of the Alumni. 

Donetta Goodall has served in many administrative positions in Higher Education, including Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Lone Star College System, Vice President for Academic Transfer, General & Developmental Education at Austin Community College, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Rector of Lone Star College in Jakarta, Indonesia. She currently serves as Trustee and Vice President for Strategy on the Prairie View A&M Foundation Board, and Chaplain of the Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter. 

She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Prairie View A & M University, a Master of Science Degree in Nursing, with a specialty in cardiovascular nursing, from Texas Woman's University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin where she was honored by the University as a 2009 Distinguished Graduate. 

She has one daughter, Karen, and a grandson, Kristopher.

Betty Davis-Lewis, EdD, RN, FAAN

Dr. Bettye Davis Lewis is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing with a B.S. in Nursing. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Houston, Houston Texas, a Masters of Education and Doctorate of Education from Texas Southern University, Houston Texas. She is a graduate of Leadership Texas and a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Fellow in the International Society of Hypertension in Blacks. Dr. Lewis was the first African American selected as a Leadership Extern in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.

She serves on numerous boards which include United Negro College Fund, Theater Under the Stars, March of Dimes, America Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases/State of Texas, %A Advisory Board for Museum of Fine Arts. She has received many awards which includes: 2000 African American Life Achievement Award, Edith Award, Crystal Award, Emerge Business Award, Distinguished Leadership Award from Texas Nurses Association, District #9.

Dr. Lewis is listed in Who’s Who in American Nursing, Who’s Who in American and Distinguished African Americans. For the past three years she has been listed in Ebony Magazine 100 Most Influential Americans.

Dr. Lewis has been devoted to the growth and sustainability of the College of Nursing. She has served as the President of the Alumni Chapter, Chairperson of the Scholarship Luncheon, and has served on many different committees in the chapter.

This year Dr. Lewis will serve as the chapter’s Parliamentarian.

   Denise Smith RN, BSN, MPH has been a life member of the chapter for several years. She was the President-elect prior to becoming the President. She has served on several committees including the Prayer Breakfast, Scholarship luncheon, Finance, and Bylaws. As President, she is the CEO of the chapter and presides at each regular, executive and special meeting. Her goals for the current term include increasing membership and attendance at chapter meetings, increasing the chapter’s presence in community activities and increasing the number and dollar amount of scholarships awarded to the nursing students.