Creighton News
Kunes-Connell, Hurst named co-interim deans of nursing
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Mary Kunes-Connell, PhD, (above left) and Helen Hurst, DNP, (above right) have been named co-interim deans of the Creighton University College of Nursing, effective Sept. 1, while the search for a permanent dean continues.
“Dr. Kunes-Connell and Dr. Hurst bring extensive academic administrative experience to this role, having overseen the development of our outstanding nursing programs at our campuses in Omaha, Phoenix and Grand Island, Nebraska,” said Creighton Provost Mardell Wilson, EdD. “I am excited that through their collaborative leadership and expertise, we will continue to significantly move our nursing programs forward on these three campuses until a permanent dean is in place.”
Kunes-Connell has served on the nursing faculty at Creighton for 40 years and is a professor and associate dean for academics, assessment and accreditation. Hurst joined Creighton in 2022 as a professor and associate dean of nursing at the Creighton Health Sciences Campus – Phoenix.
I am excited that through their collaborative leadership and expertise, we will continue to significantly move our nursing programs forward.
— Mardell Wilson, EdD, Creighton Provost
In their roles as associate deans, Kunes-Connell has provided academic oversight for the College of Nursing’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Omaha, Phoenix and Grand Island, while Hurst has managed the administration of the College of Nursing in Phoenix and its growing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Creighton is conducting a national search for a new permanent College of Nursing dean, following the announcement by Catherine Todero, PhD, that she was retiring as both dean of the College of Nursing and vice provost of Health Sciences Campuses.
The search committee, chaired by Bridget Keegan, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is actively engaged in efforts with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. On-campus interviews for candidates are tentatively being planned for early in the fall semester.
