School of Nursing mourns death of Kathleen Jordan

Kathleen Jordan, an accomplished nurse practitioner, educator and clinical professor in the School of Nursing, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2025. She joined UNC Charlotte in August 2014 as a clinical assistant professor and was promoted to clinical associate professor in 2018 and clinical professor in 2022. 

Jordan was a nationally recognized leader in pediatric emergency nursing and advanced practice nursing. Her scholarship and teaching focused on child maltreatment, blending direct patient care, evidence-based research, advocacy and national education to prepare future nurses to serve pediatric patients and their families. 

While teaching at UNC Charlotte, Jordan maintained an active clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in a full-service urban emergency and trauma care setting. 

“Dr. Jordan exemplified what it means to be both a clinician and an educator,” said Susan McLennon, director of the School of Nursing. “Her career was defined by her work with the most vulnerable populations, particularly children affected by abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Through her leadership in developing an interprofessional team addressing child abuse and neglect, she brought that focus into both her clinical practice and her teaching. She was a respected leader, a devoted mentor and a champion for children and families. Our community has lost an extraordinary colleague.”

Funeral services for Jordan will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Denver United Methodist Church (3910 North NC-16, Denver, NC 28037). A reception will follow. The family requests that those attending wear “bright Lily Pulitzer colors” in honor of Jordan’s love of the designer.