School of Nursing Dean Judy Liesveld, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, received a warm welcome from faculty, staff and students when she assumed her new role in July. Since then, she has been actively working to enhance the School’s legacy as one of the top nursing programs in the country. 

“I hope to build on the excellence in nursing education that I found at SIUE’s School of Nursing by creating and supporting a dynamic learning environment for outstanding nursing student, faculty and staff achievement,” shared Liesveld. 

Liesveld’s top priorities include: 

• Supporting innovative teaching strategies, simulation and programming that captures and assesses diversity in student learning styles 
• Working with the School’s faculty and staff to support the University’s initiatives to diversify faculty and student populations 
• Continuing to provide students with a wide array of clinical opportunities regionally and globally that prepare them for a rewarding career in today’s complex healthcare arena 
• Supporting and strengthening the School’s nurse-managed WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis 
• Providing faculty with the opportunity for research and scholarship that enhances excellence in their careers
• Building partnerships with donors and clinical partners to advance nursing education for the benefit of patients and communities

The School of Nursing has long been committed to diversity to both enhance learning and produce a more diverse nursing workforce. Pathway programs to recruit and retain underrepresented minority students have been in place for 35 years. 

Through a $97,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the School is now developing a mission-aligned admissions process that looks at an applicant as a whole, taking into consideration experiences and attributes in addition to academic metrics such as GPA and standardized exam scores. 

“Holistic admission is an effective strategy in diversifying the nursing workforce,” said Co-Principal Investigator Ann Popkess, PhD, RN, assistant dean of undergraduate programs. “This can additionally address disparities in healthcare access, given that a high percentage of graduates return to provide care in their communities.” 

Learn more about the process.

School of Nursing alumni Frank Grasso (left), BS Nursing ’06, MS Nurse Anesthesia ’10, and Kyle Griffith (right), MS Nurse Anesthesia ’05, pictured with Dean Judy Liesveld, were among 10 remarkable graduates to be inducted into the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 23. 

Grasso and Griffith are making their mark on the healthcare industry, achieving  success in their dual roles as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and co-owners of G&G Anesthesia. Griffith launched the company in 2009, and Grasso became a joint owner in 2014. Since then, the pair has been partnering with hospitals across the U.S. to offer 24/7 on-site anesthesia management solutions customized to each facility’s needs.  

Breaking the mold of traditional anesthesia care, Grasso and Griffith offer anesthesia providers the opportunity to work for a CRNA-owned group instead of a hospital, national company or physician group. The innovative company has seen explosive growth since its inception and takes advantage of the pipeline of highly-qualified graduates from the SIUE School of Nursing. Through a collaborative approach, G&G Anesthesia is increasing quality, safety, satisfaction and outcomes for medical facilities across the country. 

Read about the induction ceremony.

The School of Nursing hosted its inaugural Nursing Anesthesia (NA) Networking Night and Fundraiser at Top Golf in June. The School's alumni, students and clinical partners had the opportunity to connect with one another while showing off their golf game. 

The fundraiser sold out, with more than 150 people raising over $24,000 to go toward state-of-the-art equipment for the NA Lab at SIUE. 

“This event was the first high-volume networking event allowed since prior to the pandemic. The anesthesia community was ready to meet each other again in a face-to-face format,” said Leah Baecht, DNP, CRNA, APRN, assistant director and instructor of nurse anesthesia. “The outpouring of support for the NA program and lab from the SIUE NA alumni, and clinical and corporate partners was overwhelming. Everyone in attendance was incredibly generous with their investment in training current and future generations of nurse anesthetists.” 

Read more about the event.

Two-time School of Nursing alumna Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN, has earned the 2022 Distinguished Researcher Award by the Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses (APHON). This award recognizes an APHON member who has excelled as a nurse scientist with research funding.

Hendricks-Ferguson, BSN '78, MSN '84, currently serves as the Irene Riddle Endowed Chair at Saint Louis University's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing. Through her research, she has made significant contributions to the science of palliative and end-of-life care for pediatric oncology patients and their parents.

Congratulations, Dr. Hendricks-Ferguson on this tremendous achievement.

The Office of Admissions invites you to help recruit students through the Alumni Recruitment Ambassador Program. Our alumni ambassadors attend college fairs in their area, send emails and postcards, serve on alumni panels at recruitment events, and more.  

Learn more and volunteer today!

The SIUE Meridian Society Presents: Ivan Trevino and SIUE Percussion
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 5:45 p.m. 
Fixins' Room, Morris University Center 
Join the SIUE Meridian Society for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception featuring special performances from Ivan Trevino and the SIUE Percussion Ensemble. To celebrate Ivan Trevino's desire to show young Latinx musicians that anything is possible, bright colors are encouraged in your attire. 

Register today!

Celebrate 50 years of the Alumni Association! 
For the past 50 years, the Alumni Association has made great strides in its mission to establish, nurture and maintain the relationship between the University and its alumni. In honor of our 50th anniversary, we invite you to be a part of our $50 for 50 campaign in support of the Alumni Association Scholarship fund.  

Make your gift! 

School of Business and Alumni Association Present Business After 4
Thursday, Nov. 17, 4-6 p.m.
Birger Hall, SIUE Campus
Join the School of Business and Alumni Association for an EdGlen Chamber of Commerce Business After 4 event. Meet new people, make new contacts, learn more about EdGlen Chamber member businesses and find out about exciting initiatives taking place at SIUE from Chancellor James T. Minor.

Registration is required and includes appetizers, a host bar and a special business card raffle and jackpot drawing. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards for what promises to be a great evening of networking and fun!

Click here to register!

Save the Date: Giving Tuesday 
Tuesday, Nov. 29 
Mark your calendars and join us for a day of giving to your favorite cause at SIUE. Watch for more details at siue.edu/give.  

Save the Date: Golden Graduation Reunion 
Week of May 1, 2023 
SIUE is thrilled to recognize the golden anniversary of alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago with an annual reunion. We look forward to celebrating you, reliving days gone by and making new SIUE memories.

More information will be announced this winter at siue.edu/alumni/golden-graduates. 

Check out FREE webinars offered by the SIUE Alumni Learning Consortium 
Just because you graduated doesn’t mean you stopped learning. As an SIUE alum, you have exclusive access to a range of online learning tools.  

Check out insightful webinars through the SIUE Learning Consortium. 

Start saving today with the SIUE Alumni Perks program! 
The new SIUE Alumni Perks mobile app can save you up to 50% off of top brands, retailers, restaurants, entertainment and recreation in your area and nationally. Simply search by zip code or by type of discount on the website or mobile app and start saving.  

Start saving today!