Office of the Dean

August 16, 2026

These days, in the heart of the summer season, bring me much joy. The warmth of the weather, splendor of the sunshine, and overtures of the outdoors—all serve to invigorate my body, mind, and spirit.

The summer break from the academic year also brings opportunity to slow down a bit allowing moments to take note of things that give me joy serving as Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Seattle University. My immediate reflections at this time are on the joys of the 2026 Commencement (more on LinkedIn here, here, here, and here), along with our College’s pinning and hooding ceremonies, as we celebrated the wonderful academic achievements of students by conferring their hard-earned diplomas and bestowing well-deserved accolades. I am further filled with joy in recalling the many pursuits and meaningful endeavors among faculty and staff this past academic year that uphold and uplift the scholarly excellence of Seattle University, but more so are expressions of their talent, expertise, and commitment to make positive impacts in service to the greater good of others.

The heart of summer is also when Seattle University holds Feast Fest, bringing together the campus community to honor St. Ignatius of Loyola (on his feast day of July 31), the founder of the Jesuit Order that established Seattle University and many other primary, secondary, and collegiate educational institutions around the world. Feast Fest is a wonderful event that offers faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters, the time to revel and take joy in the life and works of St. Ignatius, as well as well as in each other. The occasion also serves as an annual prompt for me to reflect on the what, the how, and the why of Seattle University that bring me joy; which often makes me smile and even laugh.

Amidst these summer days, I invite you to slow down, pause, and reflect on the joys in your life—recent, present, and even anticipated. With invigorated mind, body, and spirit, a smile and laughter will perhaps come to you. And, when they do, remember that St. Ignatius imparted the saying, “Laugh and grow strong,” as a reminder of the importance of joy.

March 26, 2026

As we move into spring, I am grateful for the many ways our alumni community continues to advance the mission of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences through leadership, service and a shared commitment to transforming health care.

Recently, I was glad to have had the opportunity to celebrate SU alumna Dr. Antwinett O. Lee, '97, '17, on her induction into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame. Known as a “mentor extraordinaire,” Dr. Lee has had an impactful career supporting colleagues and students. As an educator and leader, she has created and sustained programs that open doors for aspiring nurses, reflecting the kind of mission-driven difference we are proud to see in our alumni.

[From L to R: Butch de Castro, Antwinett O. Lee, Heather Bissmeyer]

I was also thrilled to learn about Erin Martin, '13, another alum from our SU Nursing program, who competed in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games (story here). Goes to show you that Redhawk Nurses are amazing in and beyond patient care settings. Her mention of how a Jesuit education prepared her to deal with complex health care situations illustrates the meaningful formation our students graduate with.

Looking ahead, I hope you will stay connected with us through several upcoming opportunities:

On April 16, our community will come together for SU Gives, Seattle University’s annual 24-hour day of giving. I invite you to join me in supporting student scholarships and funds within the college. This year, when we receive 35 gifts to any of our three priority funds, we will unlock an additional $25,000 pledged collectively by the Arnold Family Foundation, David and Krysten Bourdon, Retired Major General Barbara Holcomb, Susan Wedgewood, and my family. The funds identified for SU Gives are vital to expanding access to education and preparing students to lead with compassion, equity and excellence in their fields.

Later in the month, on April 30, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Diagnostic Ultrasound program. This milestone offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the program’s legacy since its founding in 1976 and to welcome alumni back to campus. I am especially looking forward to gathering with members of our community and recognizing Joan Baker, the program’s founder, whose vision and commitment have shaped its enduring significance and reputation throughout the region.

We will also host the Drs. Luth M. and Narciso P. Tenorio Endowed Lectureship on May 20, featuring journalist Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. Her invited talk, “Social Prescribing: How Reconnecting to What Matters is Transforming Health and Health Care,” will explore innovative approaches to care that align closely with Seattle University’s mission and values. I hope you will join us for this thought-provoking event.

Thank you for your ongoing engagement with the college and for the many ways you support our students and strengthen our community.

March 3, 2025

Throughout winter quarters, I make the effort to employ the spirit of the Ignatian Daily Examen to look back and reflect on the past calendar year. Thinking on the levels of the world around me, there were things that brought consolation, but also things that prompted desolation. For example, I was fortunate enough to go on a week-long silent retreat that allowed me to step out of the day-to-day routine to meaningfully appraise how I can better fulfill my role as Dean. On the flip side, I traveled to the Dominican Republic with a group of administrators from other Jesuit colleges and universities to spend time in accompaniment with Haitian migrants who, as a consequence of historical and present-day discrimination, live in abject poverty, work under exploitive conditions, and are rounded up in deportation raids. While the silent retreat restored my sense of purpose and joy as a Dean at Seattle University, the Dominican Republic trip reminded how structural, systematic oppression and being unloved can ravage futurity. These were deeply powerful experiences for me, which together, inspire me to put into action Jesuit teachings in how I lead in service to the university community and beyond.

From this and with spring approaching, I endeavor to pause and mark the emergence of warmer days, brighter skies, and blooming flora—enthusing renewal, vitality, and growth, then encouraging me to take note of the good in the everyday around me, especially that done by individuals connected to our College of Nursing. For example, I was glad to have met alumnus Dr. Shana Charles, at the Washington State Nurses Association Lobby Day event, who is deeply committed to working with underserved populations as a nurse practitioner.

I look forward to meeting other alumni and supporters to get better acquainted through upcoming in-person engagement events planned for a variety of regional locations this spring, so look out for announcements!

Also, I am very excited that Elizabeth Schenk, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chief Environmental Stewardship Officer-Providence, will be this year’s speaker for the Drs. Luth M. and Narciso P. Tenorio Endowed Lectureship on the afternoon of April 30, whose talk is importantly titled, “Planetary Health: Solutions for Health Care.”

Lastly, I anticipate expressions of good through the show of selfless generosity and support for the College of Nursing during SU Gives on March 4 in recognition of all that our students, faculty, and staff do to transform health care for a just and humane world.

As we break into spring, I encourage you to join me in continuing to look out for the good all around us—in the work we do, the persons we strive to be, and the relationships we foster. My best to all.

May 6, 2024

Today marks the beginning of National Nurses Week (May 6-12)! We honor each one of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who represent Seattle University College of Nursing so well throughout our city, region, state, and nation. We also beam with pride and optimism of the impact that our immediate next cohorts of nurses who complete our undergraduate and graduate programs will make as they move onto professional practice with brilliance as Redhawk Nurses. And, beyond that, we, of course, pay tribute to all nurses globally who selflessly dedicate their lives to bettering the health and well-being of others.

According to the annual Gallup 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, nurses remained the most trusted profession for the 22^nd straight year. While this is certainly worth highlighting, this comes as no surprise to us at Seattle University given our rootedness in the Jesuit tradition which is reflected in the ways we approach educating and inspiring leaders who will transform health care for a just and humane world.

Thinking back on my 31 years across various roles in professional practice and academia, I am reminded of so many moments, big and small, where being a nurse has benefited me as well as allowed me, as Pedro Arrupe, a prior Superior General of the Jesuits, encouraged, to be a person for others. And, every day, throughout our College of Nursing community, I see glowing acts of caring and kindness extended between and beyond our faculty, staff, and students, that power me forward.

To commemorate this year’s National Nurses Week, I share with you two things that brighten my emotions about being a nurse. First, as we gain more distance from and shed, though for some still continue to endure, the struggles, pains, and losses from the pandemic over the past few years, the poem “The Miracle of Morning" (recited radiantly by its author Amanda Gorman here) offers more than a glimmer of optimism as we move ahead with each new day striving to become “… the best of beings” (special thanks to Assistant Dean Marilyn Cope for calling attention to these beautiful words). Second, as member of the American Nurses Association, I look forward to seeing nurses spotlighted against the backdrop of illuminated city landmarks across the nation through the Nurses Light Up the Sky campaign.

Happy Nurses Week to all, whether already or soon-to-be, nurses!

February 16, 2024

It’s been an exciting, energetic, and enriching time for me since stepping into the Deanship of the College of Nursing last July. I’ve gotten better acquainted with faculty and staff throughout our college and the university and have had wonderful opportunities to engage with our students. Everyone has made settling in easy and enjoyable. I’m so appreciative of the continued warmth and ready assistance extended by all. I can honestly say that I do not feel like I am new to Seattle University anymore. That said, I sincerely look forward to deeper engagement with all that Seattle University offers and greater rapport with all members of its community.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month

As we move through the first quarter of 2024, in January, taking time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating Black history throughout February, it is important to reaffirm our institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. I celebrated the holiday dedicated to Dr. King and his accomplishments by attending a mass at our Chapel of St. Ignatius organized by the Black Catholic Advisory Circle.

In our Jesuit tradition, I remind that we must respond to Dr. King’s statement that, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” I’m proud that our academic programs are designed to educate and inspire leaders to transform health care for a just and humane world. Recognizing and attending to the needs of those who are marginalized and oppressed by unfair systems and actions are core to how we at Seattle University prepare health care professionals.

Congratulations to our Newest Redhawk Nurses!

I’m pleased to share that we saw high success among BSN graduates and current DNP students completing their NCLEX exams in 2023. These pass rates reflect the commitment of our faculty and staff to prepare students for the new generation NCLEX exam and provide them with firm footing as they proceed into professional practice.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing program traditional 4-year graduates: First-time pass rates was 89.61% with an overall rate of 94.8%
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing program transfer graduates: First-time pass rates was 82.1% with an overall rate of 90.5%
• Doctoral students in the Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion program: First-time pass rates was 92.75% and the overall pass rate was 97.1%

I extend heartfelt congratulations to all of you who completed this important step on your way to starting your nursing career.

New Nursing Advisory Board

I welcome and thank all the members of our newly convened Academic Nursing Advisory Board. This advisory board will provide a channel for perspectives from nurses in professional practice, health systems leadership positions, and community-/public-service roles to guide our pursuits to fulfill our mission and actualize our vision. Our College of Nursing leadership team is thrilled to have these wonderful, well-accomplished nurses advise and support us in delivering high-quality education and training across our undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Many thanks to each of them for agreeing to serve.