Jana Pressler, Ph.D., was named assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division effective Aug. 1. She succeeds Christie Campbell-Grossman, Ph.D., who served as interim assistant dean for the past year.
Dr. Pressler previously was associate dean of the graduate nursing program and a professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., where she served for two years. Prior to that she held various positions at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City from 2005 to 2011, including project director of the doctor of nursing practice program, doctoral program director and assistant dean for research and evidence-based practice.
She also held positions at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Pennsylvania State University, Vanderbilt University and Case Western Reserve University.
“We are delighted that Dr. Pressler is joining the college. She has a stellar record of academic leadership and scholarship related to academic nursing administration,” said Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing. “She comes to the college at an exciting time as we raise $5.5 million to add to the $12 million appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature for a new building in Lincoln and the expansion opportunities the new space will provide.”
Dr. Sebastian said Dr. Pressler is an accomplished nurse educator and academic leader.
“Her dedication to advancing nursing science, education, and practice in an interprofessional environment will make an enormous contribution as the Lincoln Division moves to the next level of excellence.”
She thanked Dr. Campbell-Grossman for her dedication and leadership as interim assistant dean in the past year.
Dr. Pressler said she is excited about the many opportunities for growth in nursing education, research, practice and collaboration within the community.
“The Lincoln Division has excellent students, faculty, and staff. One of my goals is to help the college bring in additional training and research grants, and I hope to work with others on some of my ideas for mounting innovations within both nursing education and research,” she said.
She has co-authored a column about academic nursing administration in the journal Nurse Educator since 2006. Her research focuses on the health of neonates, particularly preterm infants.
Dr. Pressler earned a bachelor of arts degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., a master of arts degree and a pediatric nurse practitioner certificate from the University of Iowa and a doctorate of philosophy degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.