Our History
The Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter was formed in 1977 as the Houston Nursing Alumni Organization. A group of concerned nursing alumni met with the dean of nursing, Dr. Jewellean Mangaroo, regarding the image of the graduates in the Houston Medical Center and the low pass rate on the State Board Exam. Initially the primary focus of the group was to provide student support via scholarships, transportation, recruitment and mentoring. In addition, educational support was offered to the College of Nursing. Within this group an education committee was formed to assist students prepare for the State Board exam and develop criteria for awarding scholarships. Alumni Members volunteered their clinical expertise and conducted State Board review sessions. The pass rate on the State Board exam increased with each subsequent year of the program. The alumni held its first scholarship banquet on April 9, 1983 at which time four academic scholarships were awarded. At this event the Alumni proudly celebrated the outstanding accomplishment of the nursing school’s 100% pass rate on the licensure exam. Since the inception of the organization, a scholarship banquet/luncheon has been held to raise funds and award scholarships to deserving nursing students. In 2008, the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary scholarship event. At this time ten scholarships were awarded to pre-nursing students entering the upper division program and students at the junior and senior level. In August 2009, the organization officially changed its name from “Houston Nursing Alumni Organization” to Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter. The 2010 scholarship event marked the 27th year and 16 scholarships were awarded. Since 1983 the amount of scholarship monies awarded is approximately one hundred and five thousand dollars.
Our Leadership
We choose the leadership for the Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter knowing what each member has to bring to the Chapter, the students, as well as the community.
We have knowledgeable members that lead our Chapter. With a broad range of experience, our leadership shows us by their example of what true success is.
Our Board Members are noted below. For information on Committees please click- this link.
Board Members
President- Mattie Mason (19-20)
Recording Secretary-Patricia Brayton
President- Mattie Mason (19-20)
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 Selecti
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.
Vice President - Viola Hebert
Recording Secretary-Patricia Brayton
President- Mattie Mason (19-20)
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
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.
Recording Secretary-Patricia Brayton
Recording Secretary-Patricia Brayton
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
Patricia Brayton, a 2015 graduate, joined the nurse’s alumni in 2016. She became an active Board Member in November 2017 serving as the Recording Secretary. The role of Recording Secretary is to maintain a record of the chapter and Board of Directors meetings. She also chairs the Constitution and By-Laws committee.
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
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 r
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.
Corresponding Secretary- Dr. Laurie Mitchell
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
Corresponding Secretary- Dr. Laurie Mitchell
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, Ame
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. She role as Correspondence Secretary is to keep the membership abreast of upcoming events.
Treasurer- Theresa Wooten
Financial Secretary and Membership Chair - Letha Mosley
Corresponding Secretary- Dr. Laurie Mitchell
Theresa Wooten, a 1975 graduate, joined the nurses’ alumni Chapter, 2000 and has been a life member since 2005. She serves as the Chapter’s Treasurer, September 2020. Theresa sponsors the Billie Bell Scholarship, since 2010 and is chairperson of the Finance Committee.
Historian - Cecil Brewer
Past President - Denise Smith
Chaplain- Donetta Goodall
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 est
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.
Chaplain- Donetta Goodall
Past President - Denise Smith
Chaplain- Donetta Goodall
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
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.
Past President - Denise Smith
Past President - Denise Smith
Past President - Denise Smith
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, executi
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.