Retired Chancellor's Professor Emerita Diane Billings started her journey to becoming a face of IUPUI in 1969. She began her teaching career as a faculty member in the Purdue University Associate Degree Program in Nursing at the 38th Street campus before the program became part of the School of Nursing on the downtown campus. A faculty member for 38 years until her retirement in 2006, Billings left an indelible mark on the School of Nursing, the IUPUI campus, and the field of nursing more broadly.
During her career, Billings taught courses in the each of the school's academic programs. She also ensured that the School of Nursing retained its competitive edge in the age of digital and online learning by implementing a plan to put a computer on the desk of each faculty and staff member and developing a state-of-the-art computer lab for students in the early 1990s. An expert in distance education, Billings successfully applied for a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education grant for the development of three online academic courses designed specifically for critical care nurses. She then worked with a team to plan and develop each course.
In addition to her presence in the classroom, Billings also served as the Associate Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Information Resources. She oversaw the School of Nursing's Office of Lifelong Learning, Center for Excellence in Teaching, and Computer Cluster. Billings' legacy is visible today at The Simulation Center and the Learning Lab, which reflect the innovative technologies to which IUPUI students now have access thanks to her efforts.
