Gallagher-Lepak Named Dean of UW-Green Bay’s New College of Health, Education and Social Welfare
University Announces Second Dean of New Four-College Model
Green Bay, Wis — University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Gary L. Miller today announced the appointment of Professor Susan Gallagher-Lepak, Ph. D., to the position of founding Dean of UW‑Green Bay’s College of Health, Education and Social Welfare. Gallagher-Lepak is the second dean to be appointed in the University’s new four-college model, the first major restructuring of academic administration at the University in two decades.
Susan Gallagher-Lepak
“We are fortunate that Dr. Gallagher-Lepak has agreed to provide the leadership needed to make our transition to a four-college model a success,” said Chancellor Gary L. Miller. “Susan is just the person we need in the forefront of our effort at UW‑Green Bay to provide the best academic programs and partnerships to fill the workforce needs of our region, state and nation.”
The Dean of the College of Health, Education and Social Welfare is responsible for budget, personnel, curriculum, strategic planning and constituent relations in promoting the University and the College. The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership and oversight of interdisciplinary and disciplinary programs in the College.
Gallagher-Lepak has served as Chair of UW‑Green Bay’s Nursing programs and Director of UW‑Green Bay’s BSN-LINC (a national online bachelor of science in nursing) program since 2012. She joined the University as an assistant professor in 2003, advanced to rank of associate professor in 2010 and was promoted to full professor in 2015. She has an extensive record of scholarship (articles, book chapters and presentations to regional, national and international audiences). Her clinical experience includes more than 25 years in various roles including psychologist in rehabilitation settings (brain injury/stroke recovery), case manager, transplant clinical nurse specialist and dialysis nurse.
“The College of Health, Education and Social Welfare is an important resource to the community and region,” Gallagher-Lepak noted. “Our accredited programs prepare teachers, social workers and nurses, which are all in great demand today and critical to the health and vitality of every community in Wisconsin. At the same time, we have Centers that address select needs, such as the Education Center for First Nations Studies, which builds on our region’s rich ancestry. I’m excited about the enormous potential this new College has to meet the needs of the region.”
Gallagher-Lepak has been a leading advocate for the use of e-learning and technology to improve student learning. In collaboration with faculty peer T. Heather Herdman, she developed a mobile application called “NurScope.” The app uses universally accepted nursing diagnosis taxonomy to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nursing diagnoses by nursing students, nursing educators and nurses. The app is available for purchase in Google and Apple stores and is used worldwide.
Most recently, Gallagher-Lepak has worked to spread the word about nursing and a nursing educator shortage in Wisconsin, and the repercussions it could mean to the region and state. Gallagher-Lepak and other nursing administrators have formed “Nurses for Wisconsin” — a partnership between University of Wisconsin System nursing programs to address the nurse educator shortage and recruit faculty. Ultimately, they hope to attract and retain more nurses to sustain the state and nation’s healthcare needs.
Kay Tupula, Dean of Health Sciences and Education at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, has worked with Gallagher-Lepak on the Executive Committee of ANEW (Administrators of Nursing Education in Wisconsin). “Susan is well respected amongst her nurse educator peers in the state and is always seeking opportunity to create effective relationships with both peer education institutions and with our healthcare partners. She is passionate about providing quality BSN and MSN education for the nurses in our community and nationwide.”
Gallagher-Lepak earned a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW-Madison in 1996, an MSN in 1989 from UW-Milwaukee and BSN from Marquette University in 1983. She holds current licensure in the state of Wisconsin as a Registered Nurse and Licensed Psychologist and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and Administrators of Nursing Education in Wisconsin (ANEW).
Additionally, she serves on the statewide BSN@HOME Steering Committee and has played an important role in the development of UW‑Green Bay’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Health Information Management and Technology, and Nurse 1-2-1 BSN programs.
Earlier this year UWGB Professor John Katers was named founding Dean of UW‑Green Bay’s College of Science and Technology. Both Deans appointments begin effective July 1, 2016.
About the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,700 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.
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