Appendix A: Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Deans, Directors, and Administrative Offices

Deans

Dean of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing: Dr. Allison Vorderstrasse
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Dr. Mary Ellen Burke
Associate Dean for Research: Dr. Michael Lepore

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Program Director: Dr. Celeste Surreira
Clinical Simulation Lab Director: Gina Grabowski
Honors Program Director: Dr. Joohyun Chung
Director of International Programs: Dr. Ann Becker

Graduate Programs

Director of the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Program:  Dr. Rae Walker
Director of the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) Program: Dr. Karen Kalmakis
Director of the MS (Masters) and Certificate Programs: Dr. Gabrielle Abelard
Seedworks Endowed Professor in Social Justice: Dr. Raeann LeBlanc

Office of the Dean

The Dean’s Office is responsible for the overall operation of the College.

Allison Vorderstrasse, Dean
Ann York, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Dean 

Office of Nursing Scholarship & Research

The Office of Nursing Scholarship assists faculty in their scholarly pursuits. Grant writing assistance and research consultations are available. Faculty development is central to this office and is focused on pre and post award assistance. This office communicates regularly with the Office of Grant and Contract Administration (OGCA).

Monika Valečić, Grants and Contracts Coordinator

Office of Academic Affairs

The Office of Academic Affairs has the following responsibilities:

  • Assures that the quality of education is provided for all academic programs within the College.
  • Facilitates and maintains communications within the university to the Graduate College and to the Deputy Provost who is the Dean of Undergraduate Education.
  • Communicates with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing in regard to educational matters.
  • Oversees the Nursing Clinical Simulation Laboratories.
  • Supports the Curriculum Committees, the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Affairs (Standards and Curriculum), and the Committee on Faculty and Student Matters.
  • Assures quality partnerships and relationships with affiliating agencies.
  • Arranges and manages international study opportunities, clinical agency contracts, recognition of students, clinical education workshops, and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Pinning & Hooding ceremonies.
  • Coordinates and implements data collection, annual reports and surveys.

  • The work of this office is supported by professional and clerical staff members who are responsible for the daily operations of all undergraduate, graduate, and Continuing Education programs and matters pertaining to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.

    Dr. Mary Ellen Burke, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
    Dr. Celeste Surreira, Undergraduate Program Director
    Dr. Joohyun Chung, Director, Honors Program
    Leonora Thomas, Clinical Placement Coordinator
    Gina Grabowski, Director, Clinical Simulation Laboratories
    Jason Steele, Temp Lab Assistant, Clinical Simulation Laboratories/Amherst
    Matthew Abert, Lab Assistant, Clinical Simulation Laboratories/Amherst and Springfield (temp)
    Heidi Haghighi, Instructor, Clinical Simulation Laboratories/Amherst
    Dr. Rae Walker, Director of the PhD program
    Dr. Karen Kalmakis, Director of the DNP program
    Dr. Gabrielle Abelard, Director of the Master’s Program
    Reggie Lamothe, Chief Undergraduate Advisor
    Karen Ayotte, Program Assistant for DNP Program, Academic Staff Lead
    Liz Theroux, Program Assistant, Undergraduate Nursing Major, and RN to BS tracks Dee Jones, Program Specialist, Accelerated Program
    Jennifer Heim, Undergraduate Credentialing Specialist
    Lynne Walton, Administration Assistant to the Academic Dean