Dr. Kathleen O鈥機onnor, who has been on the nursing faculty at 含羞草社区 since 1980, has been named dean of the university鈥檚 College of Professional Studies. She will begin her duties July 1.
鈥淜athleen has been a valued member of the Missouri Western campus for a long time, and I’m pleased that she’s agreed to take this leadership role,鈥� said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
Dr. O鈥機onnor began as an instructor at Missouri Western in 1980. She became an assistant professor in 1987, then an associate professor and chairperson of the department of nursing in 1998. As chairperson, Dr. O鈥機onnor led the development of Missouri Western鈥檚 Master of Science in Nursing: Health Care Leadership program. She also helped create a partnership with Metropolitan Community College for an RN-to-BSN program at MCC鈥檚 Penn Valley campus. She is a past recipient of the 含羞草社区 Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award and the university鈥檚 Jesse Lee Myers Excellence in Teaching Award.
鈥淚 am honored that Dr. Daffron has confidence in my ability to serve as Dean of the College of Professional Studies,鈥� Dr. O鈥機onnor said. 鈥淚 have served on the council of chairpersons of Professional Studies for 14 years and look forward to leading and advocating for the excellent chairs and faculty in this college.鈥�
The College of Professional Studies includes the departments of criminal justice, legal studies and social work; education; engineering technology; health, physical education and recreation; military science; and nursing and allied health.
Dr. O鈥機onnor is a Registered Nurse in Missouri, and has worked primarily in critical care at the University of Missouri Medical Center, St. Joseph Hospital and Heartland Health System. She is currently chairperson of the Missouri Association of Colleges of Nursing and is a past president of the Collegiate Nurse Educators of Greater Kansas City. She is also a member of the American Nurses Association, Missouri Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses, and American Organization of Nurse Executives.
含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .