Kelly Dries named dean of Stritch's Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing

Kelly Dries, an accomplished educator with close to 20 years of experience in nursing and administration, has been named Dean of Cardinal Stritch University’s Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Anthea Bojar has announced.

Dries, who has most recently served as an associate dean in the School of Health Sciences at Milwaukee Area Technical College since 2009, has a wealth of experience in the development and maintenance of curricula, courses, and formal learning opportunities using various learning platforms. Dries begins at Stritch Aug. 6.

“Kelly Dries clearly emerged as the best choice in our search for a new dean due to her impressive grasp of leadership and a deep understanding of what it takes to develop and grow academic programs,” said Bojar. “In our conversations, her love of Stritch and its mission was clearly evident. Kelly exemplifies the best qualities of nursing – she is a person for whom her job is also her vocation.”

Dries has long been connected to Stritch as both an alumna and adjunct faculty member.  She earned her master of science in nursing degree from Stritch in 2003, and is presently pursuing her doctorate in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education from Stritch, with an anticipated completion date in 2014. Additionally, her mother [Jane Lord] is a graduate of the associate of science in nursing program. Dries earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996.

“I am honored to be chosen as the next dean of the Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing,” Dries said. “I look forward to working with such an outstanding group of professionals, and I am committed to bringing innovation, enthusiasm, compassion, and vision to those I serve. It is important to me to create a sense of ‘specialness’ about being a student within the College of Nursing-- to provide not only the theoretical and technical knowledge needed to be a dynamic nurse, but also to instill a sense of caring, compassion, and purpose within their educational experience.”

In her role at MATC, Dries provided leadership and direction over several programs including: respiratory therapy, surgical technology, healthcare services management, nursing assistant, medical assistant, health unit coordinator, and medical interpreter. She also presided over a series of new program and process development projects.

Prior to MATC, Dries served as an assistive personnel department chair/program director, and instructor within the Health and Human Services Division, and coordinated healthcare continuing education for the Workforce Solutions Division at Lakeshore Technical College.  Dries has held several positions at Extendicare Health Services Inc.:  area director of education of standards and practice- corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, assistant director of nursing/staff development coordinator- Cedar Springs in Cedarburg, and in-service education coordinator/shift supervisor at Meadow View Manor in Sheboygan.  She also held the position of director of caregivers at Family Tree Residential Facilities Inc. in Cedarburg.

Her research has included studies on “The Perception of Registered Nurses Regarding the Use of Medication Assistants in Wisconsin Nursing Homes” and most recently, the “Multidimensional Predictors of Success for Associate Degree Nursing Readmission Students.”

Dries succeeds Dr. Ruth Waite, who is retiring after more than 11 years with the University. Waite’s background in the nursing profession has resulted in numerous partnerships between the college and area hospitals and medical centers including the Agape Community Center, Aurora Health Care and others. She will remain with the University through Sept. 30, 2012 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

The Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing has provided high-quality nursing education since 1980. At that time, Stritch took over a program run by the Sacred Heart School of Practical Nursing that prepared licensed practical nurses and began offering an Associate in Science degree in nursing to meet new state requirements. A bachelor in nursing program was established in 1983, and a master’s degree in nursing was added in 1998, which focused on nurse educators. Stritch was the first institution of higher education in Wisconsin to offer such a degree. In April 2003, the college was named in honor of benefactor Ruth S. Coleman, for her continuing support of nursing education.