Jesslyn R. Hollar was named dean of the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she currently serves as an associate professor and chair of the department of teacher education. Dr. Hollar previously held faculty and leadership roles at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York; Southeast Missouri State University; Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin; and Central Washington University. Her work emphasizes collaborative governance, community partnerships, and data-informed improvement in higher education, with a focus on strengthening teacher education programs and advancing learning experiences.
Dr. Hollar received her bachelor’s degree in English and international affairs from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree in English education from Edgewood College and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Washington.
Judith Rosenbaum-Andre was appointed dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. She most recently served as associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine. Her research centers on understanding digital and entertainment media use as well as its impact on individuals and society at large.
Dr. Rosenbaum-Andre holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in mass communications from Radboud University in the Netherlands.
Deborah Struth was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Nursing at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. Dr. Struth has more than four decades of progressive leadership in nursing education, academic administration, and healthcare quality improvement. Her scholarly work spans curriculum innovation, mindfulness and situation awareness, quality measurement, and nursing workforce development.
Dr. Struth holds a bachelor’s degree and a Ph,D. in nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also earned a master’s degree in nursing at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Melissa Odegard was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. Throughout her tenure with the university, Dr. Odegard has held several other leadership roles, including chair of the department of psychology and counseling, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and interim vice provost and dean of graduate studies.
Dr. Odegard holds a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Bethel University in Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in counseling and community psychology from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and a Ph.D. in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University.
Stacy Walz was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Arkansas State University, where she has taught for the past 15 years. Before her interim appointment in 2025, Dr. Walz was the associate dean and chair of the department of clinical laboratory sciences. Earlier in her tenure, she was assistant dean for special projects.
A three-time graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Walz holds a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D in population health sciences.
Loretta Wangler is the new dean of nursing and allied health at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Dr. Wangler has been a member of the college’s nursing department for the past five years. In addition to her work at Lake Region State College, she is an inaugural member of the North Dakota Nursing Research Collaborative at the University of North Dakota.
A graduate of Lake Region State College, Dr Wangler received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds a master’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in healthcare management and leadership from Colorado Technical University.
Amy Madera has been appointed dean of Central Wyoming College’s Jackson campus. Madera’s appointment marks a return to CWC Jackson, where she previously spent 14 years leading culinary and hospitality programs. More recently, she worked for the Teton County School District in Jackson, Wyoming.
Madera is a graduate of Michigan State University. She earned her master’s degree in adult education from the University of Wyoming.
Andrea Gifford was promoted to dean of students for the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias. She has served as interim dean of students for the past year. Gifford has served in several other leadership roles since joining the University of Maine in 1991. Prior to her interim appointment, she was senior associate dean within the division of student life.
Gifford holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in education from the University of Maine.