Impact in Education: Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, Ph.D., D.Litt.

Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, Ph.D., D.Litt., is one of the recipients of the Office of Academic Affairs’ 2017 Impact in Education Awards. She will receive the Visionary Leadership in Education Award.

• Name: Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, Ph.D., D.Litt.
• Title: Professor and associate dean for academic programs, College of Nursing
• Joined UNMC: July 1, 2014
• Hometown: Saskatoon, SK, Canada

You are the recipient of the Visionary Leadership in Education Award, which is given for establishing or administering an educational initiative. Tell us about the benefits of the initiative you oversee.
I oversee the academic programs for the College of Nursing. There are four distinct degrees, with several options in each, and almost all are offered on all five campuses across the state. I am wonderfully supported by six directors and nine coordinators and work in partnership with five assistant deans and two associate deans. Together, we support Dean Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., as she leads the college. One of the biggest benefits of all the educational initiatives is the flexibility we offer to people wanting to become nurses or extend their nursing knowledge and education. This flexibility extends through time, space and delivery. Through our educational initiatives we positively influence patient care now and in the future.

Describe your proudest moment as an educator.
I have had the privilege of co-editing two nursing textbooks, one from its creation, and the other as an adaptation. Probably the greatest compliment that I ever got was from the students who have told me that they actually like to read the textbooks, because we make community health nursing interesting.

What advice would you give other faculty members who want to have an impact in education?
Follow your passion. People have often told me that what I want to do won’t work, or is too hard, or there are too many obstacles. You have to identify the obstacles early on, so that you know what you are up against and can plan how to go over, under, around or through them. Foster many strong relationships with individuals at all levels and walks of life, and work to bring people together – many things get done because there was a team with different skills and talents that came together and linked arms to accomplish the goal. Remember that for many educators, our greatest influence on patient care is our students and graduates. If they share your passion, they will care enough to seek out the evidence and information that can transform the world.

Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy on teaching?
It’s not exactly on teaching, but Bishop Desmond Tutu’s quote, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” You may never know all the ripples that occur because you dropped a stone into a pond — so keep dropping stones!