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College of Nursing

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Leadership

Deans

The current dean of the MSU College of Nursing is Leigh Small, who was appointed to the role by the MSU Board of Trustees in October 2022. Learn more about each previous dean below.


Leigh Small, PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN

leigh-small-thumb.jpgDean and Professor
(2022-present; interim dean 2021-2022)

Leigh Small is the tenth dean of the College of Nursing and stepped into the role in November 2021 as interim dean and was appointed by the MSU Board of Trustees to the permanent role in October 2022. She previously served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the college. With nearly 30 years as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, Small’s research portfolio is based on positive approaches to parenting, child development, motivational interviewing and interactions between parents and young children. Given that foundation, she is committed to the health and well-being of families, studying child maladaptive responses to hospitalization as well as obesity interventions with young children and their parents. She has spent nearly 20 years in nursing education.

Randolph Rasch, Ph.D., RN, FNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN 

Dean smiling in a suitDean and Professor
2015-2021

Randolph Rasch is the ninth dean of the College of Nursing. Dean Rasch is a fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, a distinguished scholar in the National Academies of Practice, and has worked as a family nurse practitioner for more than 10 years. At the heart of his drive is the knowledge that the nursing profession is poised to have a significant impact on healthcare delivery. His research efforts have been in the areas of primary care and community health; specifically analyzing the roles, functions, and appropriate skill mix for all levels of the profession.

Mary H. Mundt, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Former Dean Mundt smiling in a suitDean and Professor
2006-2015

Mary Mundt was the eighth dean of the College of Nursing. Mundt expanded the college’s academic programs by adding the Nurse Anesthesia MSN concentration in 2008, creating an international partnership with Chongqing Medical University in China, admitting the first cohort of students to a new DNP program in 2013, and leading the 2012 CCNE reaccreditation process for the BSN and MSN programs. She was instrumental in getting a $7.45 million competitive grant from NIH for construction of the Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research that opened in 2012. One of her most important accomplishments while at Michigan State University was developing the infrastructure to enable the college to move to a high of 12th in nursing schools with NIH funding.

Marilyn L. Rothert, Ph.D., RN, FAAN 

Former Dean Rothert smiling in a suitDean and Professor
1993-2006

Under Dr. Marilyn Rothert’s direction, the college successfully prepared for the 1994 NLN accreditation visit. As a visionary leader of the college for 13 years, Rothert presided over an era of continuous achievements including a significant increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollments, the development of several innovative programs, and a doctor of philosophy in nursing and post-doctoral program. The college also established a clinical track for faculty appointments and created a faculty practice plan. In her 42-year career at Michigan State University she has made lasting contributions to the College of Nursing even after her departure in 2006. As dean, her visionary leadership started the campaign to build the Life Sciences Building addition, which broke ground in the fall 2009.

Kathleen G. Bond, EdD, RN 

Kathleen G. Bond.jpgDean and Professor
1991-1993

Under Dr. Kathleen Bond’s direction, the college went through an intensive strategic planning process, as well as expansion of off-campus degree programs and on-campus undergraduate enrollment.

Gwen R. Andrew, Ph.D. 

Gwen R. Andrew.jpgActing Dean and Professor
1989-1991

Dr. Gwen Andrew reorganized the college structure and consolidated the undergraduate and graduate programs into academic affairs. She led the faculty in planning for the future through a series of task forces. She also established the Nursing Research Center and was instrumental in the development of a formalized clinical preceptor role in the college.

Gladys Courtney.jpgGladys Courtney, Ph.D., RN

Dean and Professor
1981-1989

Gladys Courtney succeeded Dr. Payne as Dean of the College of Nursing, serving from 1981 until 1989. Under her leadership, the College became integrated into every aspect (and committee) of the University, the number of doctorally prepared faculty grew rapidly, research programs were developed and funded, and the College expanded its outreach programs. 

Isabelle K. Payne, EdD, RN 

Isabelle K. Payne.jpgDirector and Professor
1971-1980
Dean and Professor
1980-1981

Dr. Isabelle Payne was Assistant Director of the School of Nursing from 1965-1971. She became director in 1971, and in 1980, the School of Nursing became the College of Nursing and she was appointed as its first Dean. During her tenure, the College of Nursing moved to the Life Sciences Building and the Multimedia Learning Laboratory was activated. In addition, the Division of Continuing Education for Nurses was created and the school of Nursing received a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation for development of the graduate program and Faculty Development Programs.

Gwendoline R. MacDonald, Ph.D., RN 

Gwendoline R. MacDonald.jpgDirector and Professor
1965-1971

During her years as director, Dr. Gwendoline MacDonald faced the formidable task of seeking budgetary support and raising educational standards. Her expertise in visioning for the future, evaluating the current situation, and developing criteria and guidelines for progress laid the groundwork for accomplishments in the following decade. Under her tenure, programmatic growth including increases in undergraduate numbers and the number of faculty occurred.

Florence C. Kempf, MA, RN 

Kempf-Paint-v1.pngDirector and Professor
1950-1964

Florence Kempf was appointed as the first director and sole faculty member of the Department of Nursing in 1950 with seventeen women under her direction. Her expectations of the nursing curriculum included providing the student with learning experiences in nursing, encouraging personal growth, and assisting in the development of social sensitivity and responsibility. In her 14 years as director of the School of Nursing, Kempf's efforts focused on the selection of clinical sites, recruitment of faculty, selection of students and the creation and maintenance of financial support for students.


Fellows

The College of Nursing is home to several faculty members who have make considerable contributions to the nursing field and, thus, have been honored as fellows by national organizations. Below are our current fellows.


Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing

The American Academy of Nursing fellows are nursing leaders in education, management, practice and research. Fellows represent association executives; university presidents, chancellors and deans; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; and researchers and entrepreneurs.

Nancy Artinian

nancy-artinian-small.jpg   PhD, RN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN
   Senior Consultant

 

 


 

Susan Weber Buchholz 

buchholz-leadership.jpg      Ph.D., RN, FAANP, FAAN
      Associate Dean for Research
      Director, Ph.D. Program
      Professor

 

 

 

Barbara Given 

Dr. Barbara Given smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN, FAPOS
Associate Dean Emeritus
University Distinguished Professor

Mildred Horodynski 

Dr. Horodynski smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN
Professor Emerita

Rebecca Lehto

Lehto_Rebecca_edited.jpg      Ph.D., RN, FAAN
      Associate Professor

 

 

 

Jiying Ling

ling-leadership.png    Ph.D., RN, FAAN
    Associate Professor

 

 


 

Mary Mundt   

Former Dean Mundt smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN
Dean Emerita

Lorraine Robbins  

Dr. Lorraine Robbins in a suitPh.D., RN, FNP-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor

Marilyn Rothert 

Former Dean Rothert smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN
Dean Emerita

Leigh Small

small-fellow.jpg    PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
    Dean and Professor

 

 


 

Gwen Wyatt 

Dr. Gwen Wyatt smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN, FAPOS
Professor Emerita

Fellows in the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists (FAANA)

Furthering the profession and enhancing patient care since 1931, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists was created to advance, support, and protect nurse anesthesiology. Fellows of the AANA are recognized in their field for being outstanding practitioners, educators, researchers, and advocates.

Gayle Lourens 

Lourens_Gayle.jpgDNP, MS, CRNA, FNAP, FAANA
Assistant Professor
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director

 

 

 

 

Fellows in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)

The FAANP program was established in 2000 to recognize nurse practitioner leaders who have made outstanding contributions to healthcare through clinical practice, research, education or policy. Fellows of AANP are visionaries and, as such, hold an annual think tank to strategize about the future of nurse practitioners and healthcare.

Susan Weber Buchholz 

buchholz-leadership.jpg      Ph.D., RN, FAANP, FAAN
      Associate Dean for Research
      Director, Ph.D. Program
      Professor

 

 

 

Kathy Dontje 

Dontje.Kathy.8x10.4825preferred.jpgPh.D., FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor 

Denise Soltow Hershey 

SoltowHershey_Denise.jpgPh.D., RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor

 

Annie Kao

Kao.Tsuisui-645.V2.8x10.jpg    Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
    Associate Professor

 

 

 

 

Linda Keilman 

Keilman_Linda.jpgDNP, GNP-BC, DEGN, FNAP, FAANP
Assistant Professor

Randolph Rasch 

Dean Rasch smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Dean (2015-21) and Professor

Ann Sheehan

sheehan-leadership.jpg     DNP, RN, CPNP, FAANP
     Assistant Professor

 

 

 

Mary Smania 

Dr. Mary Smania smiling in a suitDNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC, FAANP
Assistant Professor, Health Programs

Leigh Small

small-fellow.jpg      PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
      Dean and Professor

 

 


 

Fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education

The NLN Academy of Nursing Education fosters excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of outstanding individuals in and outside the profession who have contributed to nursing education in sustained and significant ways.

Kathleen Poindexter

Kathleen Poindexter, in grey suit, smiling.

Ph.D., RN, CNE, ANEF
Associate Professor, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

 

 

 

 

Teresa Wehrwein

Wehrwein.Teresa.jpgPh.D., RN, NEA-BC, ANEF
Associate Dean Emerita, Associate Professor Emerita

 

 

 

Fellow in the American Psychosocial Oncology Society

The purpose of Fellow status in the American Psychosocial Oncology Society is to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to the science and practice of psychosocial oncology. Membership in the Fellowship is not purely honorific, however: it carries an expectation of ongoing contributions to and leadership within the society.

Barbara Given 

Dr. Barbara Given smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN, FAPOS
Associate Dean Emerita
University Distinguished Professor

 


 

 

Charles W. Given

Given.Charles-1168.8x10.jpg.     Ph.D.
      Professor Emeritus

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Lehto

Lehto_Rebecca_edited.jpgPh.D., RN, FAPOS, OCN
Associate Professor

 

 

 

 

Gwen Wyatt

Dr. Gwen Wyatt smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FAAN, FAPOS
Professor Emerita

 

 

 

 

Fellow in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute (CNSI)

Fellows of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute (CNSI) serve to develop and promote the charitable, educational, innovative clinical practice, and scientific purposes of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Jackeline Iseler

Iseler.Jackeline-306.8x10NEW.jpg    DNP
    Assistant Professor
    Clinical Nurse Specialist Program Director

 

 

 

Fellow in the National Academies of Practice

The National Academies of Practice is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on our healthcare system. Distinguished practitioners and scholars are elected by their peers from fourteen different health professions to join the only interprofessional group of healthcare practitioners and scholars dedicated to supporting affordable, accessible, coordinated quality healthcare for all.

Leigh Small

leigh-small-thumb.jpg   PhD, RN, PNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
   Dean and Professor
 

 

 

 

Randolph Rasch  

Dean Rasch smiling in a suitPh.D., RN, FNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Dean (2015-21) and Professor

Linda Keilman 

Keilman_Linda.jpgDNP, GNP-BC, DEGN, FNAP, FAANP
Assistant Professor

 

 

 

 

 

Gayle Lourens 

Lourens_Gayle.jpgDNP, MS, CRNA, FNAP, FAANA
Assistant Professor
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director

 

 

 

 

Fellows in the Society of Simulation Healthcare

Fellows in the Society of Simulation Healthcare (SSH) are distinguished leaders and simulationists who have made significant and enduring contributions to healthcare simulation. Fellows actively engage in the SSH Academy, driving impactful initiatives that align with the mission and vision of SSH and the SSH Academy.

Mary Kay Smith

SmithMaryKay.jpgPhD, RN, CHSE, FSSH
Assistant Professor
Executive Director of the Learning and Assessment Center