Earlier today, the university enthusiastically announced its campaign to raise funds for a new School of Nursing Building on our Hattiesburg campus. I spoke with Dr. Katherine Nugent, director for the School of Nursing, to get her thoughts on this endeavor and how this will transform health care education for students at Southern Miss.

During our chat, Dr. Nugent discusses the school’s rich history of providing the region with top-notch nursing professionals since its establishment in 1967. She notes that our School of Nursing programs encompass a full-range of nursing opportunities, meeting the workforce needs at every tier by producing nurses, researchers, nurse practitioners, nurse executives and nurse administrators.

She shares her excitement to continue the tradition in a new space that will be better suited to accommodate the needs of these programs. Undoubtedly, the new three-story building, boasting an expanded simulation lab, classrooms with advanced technology, a learning resource center, a student lounge and a dining area, will prove to be a great resource to our students’ success.

I, like Dr. Nugent, am pleased to have the support of so many who are eager to see the benefits of this new space and its tremendous impact on the lives in Mississippi and across the region.

Click here for the full story about the School of Nursing Building Campaign announcement on Southern Miss Now.

Read more here about how Southern Miss’ School of Nursing is improving lives and transforming health care.

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The Faculty Senate at Southern Miss plays a key part in the university’s commitment to building a climate for academic success. I recently sat down with Dr. Tim Rehner, president of the Faculty Senate, who weighs in on this governance group’s role in the decision-making processes at the university.

Dr. Rehner shares with me that the Faculty Senate is ultimately a voice that represents faculty interest to the administration. He says this falls in line with how universities were uniquely set up to maximize knowledge-building and truth-seeking involving faculty.

In our conversation, Dr. Rehner emphasizes the Faculty Senate’s dedication to educating future leaders in order to make the state of Mississippi a better place to live and work. He explains his view of higher education as a vital enterprise in Mississippi considering its role in the economy, workforce development and improved lives for graduates.

I look forward to seeing the positive impact that the work of this group will continue to have on the university.

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