Dr. Lachel Story is the new dean of the University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. Pending approval of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Story will assume the role on July 1.
“When I was a student at USM, I knew that I wanted to work there because of the student experience I had,” Story said. “I find USM seems to be very student-centered and a family kind of community setting.”
After starting her career as a registered nurse, Story joined USM in 2004 as faculty.
Story had served in several roles at the university, including associate dean for research and graduate education and director for the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice.
Story will take over from Dr. Kathleen Masters. Masters will return to duties as a full-time professor, which, according to Story, is an advantage in ensuring a smooth transition.
“We have been able to work together for many years, and I have the fortune and opportunity to work alongside (Masters),” Story said.
The college encompasses the programs of nursing, health sciences, athletic training, recreation, public health, speech and hearing sciences, and speech pathology and audiology. It also includes certificate programs for specialization as a family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Most recently, the college’s Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs were ranked as the best in Mississippi by U.S. News and World Report.
While Story is proud of the achievement, her goal is to continue to better her programs and to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared to enter their respective workforces.
“We want to make sure that we are meeting the health care workforce needs as well as our students’ individual needs,” Story said. “We want graduates to be ready to hit the ground running in times of crisis like now and also in times when there aren’t crises.
“I want to make sure that we stay relevant and that we are paying attention to the ever-growing needs of the health of our nation as well as our health care partners.”
