鈥淭hroughout our nearly four-decade long history, program offerings, faculty interests and students鈥� needs have continually evolved to meet national demand and the ever-changing health care environment,鈥� said Mary Lou Sole, dean of the College of Nursing. 鈥淎s nurses today, we are impacting health care not only as caregivers at the bedside but as leaders, scientists and educators.鈥�

鈥淲hile the new structure may take time to adjust to and become familiar with, our faculty and administration are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for everyone,鈥� added Sole.

The Department of Nursing Systems focuses on programs that educate individuals for greater leadership responsibilities within a health care system. The Department of Nursing Practice includes programs that focus on direct nursing care roles across patient groups. Undergraduate and graduate programs are located within the new departments as follows:

Maureen M. Covelli, PhD, RN, has been appointed chair of the Department of Nursing Practice. Covelli has been at the college since 1989. She previously served as associate dean for undergraduate affairs and is an associate professor whose research interests include cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Joellen Edwards, PhD, RN, FAAN, is serving as interim chair of the Department of Nursing Systems while the college undergoes a national search for the position. The Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing, Edwards is a nationally known expert on health policy and rural health with a special interest in women鈥檚 health issues.

鈥淚 am honored to serve the College of Nursing in this role,鈥� Sole said. 鈥淥ur college will continue to focus on the needs of our students and Central Florida community by offering superb undergraduate and graduate education and outstanding research opportunities.鈥�

Founding Dean Jean D鈥橫eza Leuner has stepped down from her administrative position to pursue new leadership challenges. Dr. Linda Hennig, founding associate dean for undergraduate affairs, announced last fall her plan to return to the classroom.

UCF will conduct a national search for a new dean.

鈥淒r. Leuner leaves behind a strong legacy 鈥� she transformed us from a school within a college to an independent college,鈥� Sole said. 鈥淪he focused on many strategic initiatives, including adding new programs and developing new partnerships, and was exceptional at fundraising. She brought in several million dollars to create additional endowed chairs and professorships, and also established more than 25 student scholarships during her tenure.鈥�

鈥淒r. Hennig has been instrumental in many key UCF initiatives for more than 20 years, earning special accolades for developing and promoting online nursing education programs.鈥�

Dr. Leuner said it鈥檚 been an honor and privilege to serve as the college鈥檚 founding dean.

鈥淭he past 10 years have seen remarkable growth and success for our college, and I am proud to have been part of that,鈥� Leuner said. 鈥淲hile I look to the next challenge in my career, I wish Dr. Sole and our dedicated faculty and staff continued success.鈥�

Dr. Hennig said teaching is her first love and she鈥檚 excited about the opportunity to pursue this passion once again.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been several years since I鈥檝e been able to give myself fully to teaching, and I miss it,鈥� Hennig said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just not ready to retire, and I plan to spend a few years as a professor before that time comes.鈥�

During the next few weeks, Drs. Sole and Covelli will work closely with outgoing leaders to ensure a smooth transition.

Dr. Sole has received numerous honors, including being named as a Pegasus Professor, UCF鈥檚 highest faculty honor. She also holds the Orlando Health Distinguished Professorship in the UCF College of Nursing. As a researcher, she is widely published and has succeeded in obtaining external support for her research endeavors. She has been nationally recognized for her research with awards from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Dr. Covelli has been a nursing faculty member at UCF since 1989. She is respected for her leadership as chair of the Faculty Association and as an associate professor with primary teaching responsibilities in the baccalaureate program. She has published research on hypertension, and has developed cardiovascular health promotion intervention programs to decrease hypertension risk in adolescents.