SIUE Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD, named Judy Liesveld, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, as dean of the School of Nursing after a national search. The SIU Board of Trustees approved the appointment during its December meeting. Liesveld will assume her duties in July 2022.

Liesveld arrives on campus after serving as interim associate dean of Innovation and Community Outreach, clinical educator and professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing. She previously served as associate dean for Education and Innovation at UNM.

“The Chancellor and I are confident in Dr. Liesveld’s abilities to serve all members of the School and our community,” said Cobb. “She brings vast experience, leadership skills, and values that will help shape the School of Nursing for new ventures and continued successes.”

Read more about Liesveld.

To celebrate the culture and spirit of Hispanic nurses and represent the voices of Latinos in healthcare throughout the United States, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) was founded in 1975. Since the organization’s inception, NAHN has played a key role in advancing health in Hispanic communities while leading, promoting and advocating educational, professional and leadership opportunities for Hispanic nurses. 

Carrying this important legacy locally is School of Nursing’s Amelia Perez, PhD, RN, associate professor and chair in the Department of Family Health and Community Health Nursing. Perez has earned NAHN’s Ildaura Murillo-Rohde Award for Education Excellence, which honors NAHN members who have distinguished themselves in scholarship and/or nursing education. Perez was presented with the award at NAHN’s 2021 Annual Conference in November.

Read more about Perez's award. 

In recognition of the critical role preceptors play in preparing nurse practitioner students, the School of Nursing presented four preceptor excellence awards. A faculty committee reviewed outstanding preceptor nominees submitted by students in the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program, and selected winners in the categories of women’s health, mental health, pediatrics and family practice.

“Preceptors are some of the most important mentors that our family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students will have in their doctoral program,” said Bernadette Sobczak, DNP, clinical assistant professor and family nurse practitioner program clinical site coordinator. “They spend many hours one-on-one with our students in the clinical setting, sharing their knowledge and time to mentor those new to our profession.”

Read more about the preceptors' recognition.

In acknowledgement of exceptional performance in teaching and instruction, Jordan Smith, of Waterloo, received SIUE's 2021 Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award at the doctoral level. Smith is currently pursuing the family nurse practitioner specialization in the doctorate of nursing practice program, and has served as a TA in the School’s Simulated Learning Center since fall 2019. 

“Jordan does an excellent job of teaching undergraduate nursing students’ foundational knowledge and skills necessary to progress through the nursing program and into the clinical setting,” Amy Reed, PhD, RN, center director and assistant professor, shared. “There is no assignment or opportunity in helping students that she isn’t willing to take on and support.”

Read more about Smith's recognition.

As freshmen in a first-year School of Nursing student meeting, Sydney Allen, of Mascoutah, and Hannah Warfel, of Festus, Mo., noticed each other’s insulin pumps. The students connected over their type 1 diabetes once the meeting was over, and within months of beginning their collegiate journeys, they launched the SIUE Chapter of the College Diabetes Network (CDN).  

“After that meeting, Sydney and I created a group chat with a few other diabetics and started talking to them about starting CDN,” Warfel said. “I felt it would be a way for me to connect with other people that have the same circumstances and gain support from each other. We met up a couple of days later and went to the Kimmel Student Involvement Center to start a chapter at SIUE."

Learn more about the new student support group.

The School of Nursing’s Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) is conducting a new member drive to build a strong, diverse and inclusive board that represents the career paths and geographic locations of the School’s nearly 11,000 alumni.

AAB membership offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for alumni to engage in the continued success of our students and School and to advance the nursing profession. Virtual meetings and programs enable alumni throughout our state and country to participate. 

Learn more about the AAB and membership by contacting Patti McDonald, senior director of development, at 618-650-3906 or [email protected].

Alumni and Cougar Basketball Reception

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2:30 p.m.
Instructional Gym, Student Fitness Center

You and your family are invited to a special Alumni Reception between the Cougar Basketball doubleheader vs. Tennessee Tech. Starting at 2:30 p.m. in the Instructional Gym, enjoy some mid-day snacks and beverages, connect with fellow SIUE alumni and friends and get the chance to win some official SIUE Alumni swag bags; all while cheering on both Cougar Basketball teams to victory! Sign up today at siueconnect.org/alumni-reception.

Save the Date: Alumni Trivia Night

Saturday, April 2, 6 p.m.
SIUE Student Fitness Center

Join us on campus for a night of movie-themed trivia while supporting scholarships for SIUE students. Registration goes live soon!

Save the Date: One Day, One SIUE Giving Day and Reception

Thursday, April 21

Share your support for SIUE during our inaugural 24-hour day of giving and join us for an evening celebration with music and food as we light campus red. Watch your email for more details!

Save the Date: Golden Graduation Reunion Weekend

May 5-7

Mark your calendars and plan to join us in celebrating alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. More information to come via mail and email soon. Check out siue.edu/alumni/golden-graduates for more details.

Apply for the SIUE Alumni Board of Directors

Applications are being accepted for the SIUE Alumni Association Board of Directors now through February 18! If you have a sense of pride in the value of the education you received at SIUE, you are great board candidate! To learn more and apply, visit siue.edu/alumni/about/becoming-a-member.shtml.

Join Online Services and Education Outreach (OSEO) as we explore new opportunities both personally and professionally this spring! We are excited to launch new courses, as well as our new Spring 2022 catalog. Please visit our website at siue.edu/educational-outreach to peruse, stay updated and register for all of the Personal, Professional, Lifelong Learning, Educard and various other offerings available through OSEO!

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