Abby Horton

Assistant Professor

Education

  • EdD, Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators, The University of Alabama, 2021
  • MSN, Nursing Case Management, The University of Alabama, 2011
  • BSN, Nursing *Cum Laude, The University of Alabama, 2010
  • BS, Political Science *Magna Cum Laude, The University of Alabama, 2006

Biography

Abby Grammer Horton is an Assistant Professor at The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing (CCN), where she has been a dedicated educator for nearly 15 years. A proud four-time graduate of the university, Dr. Horton earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 2006, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2010, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Rural Case Management in 2011, and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Nurse Education in August 2021.

Dr. Horton teaches in the Undergraduate Nursing Program at CCN and focuses her research and practice on health promotion, wellness, and mental health. She also contributes to the University Honors Program and serves as the WellBAMA Wellness Class Educator on campus as a Certified Health and Life Coach.

An active leader in the Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA), Dr. Horton currently holds the position of President for the 2024-2026 term and has served in various leadership roles at both the state and district levels. She is also a Blackburn Fellow and continues to serve her community through volunteer work with local initiatives and organizations across West Alabama.

Honors and Awards

  • UA Teaching Academy Fellowship, 2024
  • CCN Board of Visitors Teaching Excellence Award, 2023
  • Winning Grants and Sustaining Communities Scholars Program, 2022
  • UA Community Engaged Learning Fellowship, 2021
  • Alabama Leadership Initiative Fellowship, 2021
  • UA Champion of Learning, 2021
  • The Elliot Society, The University of Alabama, nominated 2020
  • The Alabama State Nurses Association Alabama Nurse Foundation Scholarship Award, 2019
  • The Alabama State Nurses Association Excellence Award Recipient, 2019
  • CCN Ernestine Tucker Opening Doors Inclusion and Engagement Award, 2018
  • The Alabama State Nurses Association Excellence Award Recipient, 2018
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 2017
  • The Alabama State Nurses Association New Member Award, 2014

Areas of Interest

  • Mental Health
  • Rural Health
  • Health Promotion & Wellness
  • Nursing Education & Professional Development

Scholarly Highlights

  • Grant: A Bridge to College Success for Rural Alabamians. Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE)
  • Grant: Global nursing education rural vaccine project. The M.H.C.H Foundation Global Rural Nursing Virtual Collaboration Learning Grant. In progress
  • Grant: Risk, resilience, and context: Analyzing the social adjustment and wellbeing of adolescents and families in Rural Alabama during COVID
  • Research: Self-Efficacy Study, Walking Labyrinth Meditation Study, & Cultural Attitudes & Engagement
  • Completing the IRB Process for a research project to study student mental health needs