Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac University
By Grace Manthey
Lisa O’Connor will be the new dean for the School of Nursing at Quinnipiac University, according to a press release from Executive Vice President and Provost Mark Thompson.
In her 15 years at QU, O’Connor has built a large resume. After becoming an assistant professor in 2003, she then became director and chair of the undergraduate nursing programs and finally the associate dean of the School of Nursing in 2015, according to Thompson.
She has also served on multiple committees and attended several conferences both at Quinnipiac and around the state.
However, O’Conner is more than just her resume. O’Conner is a reference point for her advisees and takes an interest in her students, according to junior nursing major Nina Surabian.
“She is very organized, but most importantly she puts the students and their futures above everything. She has everyone’s best intention in mind and is truly selfless,” Surabian said.
Surabian recently found out she was accepted for a full time position in the intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston this summer. She said O’Connor helped her through the entire application process.
“She took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me multiple times throughout the year as well as following up with me through email. She also provided a reference for me for my job application,” Surabian said.
O’Connor’s position will officially switch over on July 1 following Jean Lange’s retirement, who served as dean since Quinnipiac founded the School of Nursing in 2011.