Officials for the Kramer School of Nursing selected Dr. Lois Salmeron, professor of nursing, as the school’s new dean.
Officials appointed Salmeron after assembling a faculty committee to review internal and external candidates.
Salmeron has served as a professor of nursing at OCU since 2005. She was elected as interim director of the nursing program in the Spring 2013 while a search began for a candidate to officially fill the position vacated by Marvel Williamson, who retired in 2013.
Provost Susan Barber announced Salmeron’s appointment at the end of the Fall 2013 semester.
Christopher Black, director of communications and outreach for the Kramer School of Nursing, cited Salmeron’s deep history with nursing in Oklahoma as a benefit to the school.
“Salmeron has experience with nursing in Oklahoma, but also has great connections within the nursing field on a national level,” Black said. “This is a great asset to our school.”
Black also noted Salmeron’s long involvement at OCU as an important asset to the program.
“She understands the internal process of our school already,” Black said.
Salmeron said she is ready to accept the challenges of the role, after serving as assistant dean and interim dean.
“I’m very excited and absolutely willing to take on the responsibility,” Salmeron said. “I have had wonderful support from our faculty and students.”
Salmeron said she hopes to accomplish two main goals in the coming years.
“Our faculty and administration have developed a multitude of new programs in the past few years, and now we want to make sure they’re absolutely solid and ensure their growth,” Salmeron said. “We also hope to expand the school of nursing’s master’s programs in the future.”
Salmeron served on the faculty of Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City’s nursing program for 31 years.
Salmeron is also the recipient of national awards in nursing including the Distinguished Professional Service Award from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, a nonprofit organization that promotes the health of women and newborns.
Meredith St. George, nursing senior, said Dr. Salmeron’s appointment will benefit the school of nursing’s student body.
“Salmeron always has open lines of communication for the students, and she’s always so helpful and pleasant,” St. George said. “I’m really excited for her to take on the position permanently.”
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