School of Nursing Names Interim Dean

06/05/2019

Peggy Ellis, Ph.D., will serve as interim dean of the School of Nursing for the 2019-2020 academic year.

She previously served as associate dean and in other leadership roles in the School of Nursing from 2006 to 2012. These roles included assistant director and interim program director. She has been in nursing education for over 40 years.

Ellis takes over leadership of the school from Teri Murray, Ph.D., who has served thirteen years as dean. Murray will return to the nursing faculty following a sabbatical next year.

Ellis earned her doctorate from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and most recently served as founding dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and as director of Nursing at Lindenwood University. She retired from the role in 2018.

She has served in a variety of leadership roles in nursing education both locally and nationally, as well as being a practicing nurse.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Southeast Missouri State University and her Master's in Nursing from University of Central Arkansas.

Mardell Wilson, Ed.D., dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences, led the search committee.

A new search committee will be appointed by University Provost Chet Gillis, Ph.D., to identify and recommend candidates for a permanent dean.