Award-Winning Veteran Nurse Applauds WilmU’s Military Student Services 

Retired Col. Gwyn Parris-Atwell jokes she bleeds green for her love of Wilmington University, calling its nursing program “the best on the earth.” 

The faculty “supported me as a mom, as a military member, as a full-time working person,” she says, adding that “I’ve sent loads of people here, and everybody says to me, ‘Gwyn, you were right.’” 

A Compassionate Caregiver With Three WilmU Nursing Degrees 

Col. Parris-Atwell’s military career began in 1991 as an Army Reserve nurse. She deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany as an Air Force reservist, later joining the Delaware Air National Guard and retiring as the 166th Airlift Wing’s medical group commander in 2022.  

On the homefront, Col. Parris-Atwell has spent more than 27 years caring for patients at Penn Medicine, Inspira Health and Jefferson Health — New Jersey. A board-certified family nurse practitioner, certified emergency nurse and Academy of Emergency Nursing fellow, she earned three degrees from WilmU: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 

“I was such a better professional nurse for it,” Col. Parris-Atwell says. “My leadership skills were enhanced, and I met amazing people” at the University. 

Military Friendly School 

She values WilmU’s “family-like environment,” affordability and dedicated professors. 

“The faculty, to this day, I still see them at conferences, and I tell them, ‘Thank you for getting me through this,’” Col. Parris-Atwell says, recalling how they allowed her to pause her dissertation during active duty. “They said Gwyn, your active duty is important. Take care of that first, and when you come back, we will take care of getting you finished.” 

She counts Dr. Aaron Sebach, dean of the College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, among her WilmU mentors. 

“I would describe Gwyn as a consummate professional and steadfast advocate for nurses,” Dr. Sebach says. “She is a decorated United States Air Force colonel who is down to earth and an all-around great person. I am fortunate that our paths crossed and am thankful for our friendship.” 

A Humble Servant-Leader 

Col. Parris-Atwell is happy to “pay it back” — guiding other nurses and volunteering with organizations such as Together With Veterans, which focuses on suicide prevention; the Wilmington University Nursing Advisory Board; Salem Community College Board of Trustees; Salem County Commission on Women; and Salem American Legion Band. Her many distinctions include the U.S. Armed Forces Legion of Merit award, Emergency Nurses Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rowan College of South Jersey and Wilmington University Distinguished Alumni Awards. 

Reflecting on her time at WilmU, she says, “I knew it was the place for me. It’s all about lifelong learning, and if you don’t do that in your career, you’re not going to succeed. It’s hard work, but you’ve got to do it.”