Published February 7, 2025
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe has named Dr. Michael Callhan as the Director of
the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing (KDSON). Callihan began in the role in the Fall
2024 semester. He comes to ULM after most recently working as an associate professor
at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Callihan has also worked as an
assistant professor at Miami University (Ohio), Auburn University, and the University
of Alabama, as well as a nurse in a variety of medical settings.
Dr. Wendy Bailes, Dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences, said Callihan stood
out as a candidate due to his ability to clearly articulate a vision for the KDSON
and identify tangible methods to achieve that vision. “As healthcare and education
change across our nation, I believe that Dr. Callihan has the ability to transition
the KDSON to meet these challenges and changes,” said Bailes.
Callihan says he became interested in ULM on the recommendation of a mentor and friend.
“Once I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love with ULM and knew this was where I
was meant to be. KDSON has the best faculty I have been blessed to work with and the
best students I have been around. This has quickly become home for me,” said Callihan.
Callihan holds a BSN from Miami University (Ohio), an MSN in Nursing Education from
Gonzaga University, and a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Kentucky. He is
also a registered nurse with a multi-state license, a nationally registered paramedic,
and a certified emergency nurse, as well as a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing.
The Director of the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing position was previously held by
Dr. Bailes prior to her hiring as Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Dr. Sandy
Roncal served as interim director of KDSON and remains with the program as the Associate
Director of the Nursing Undergraduate Program and as an associate professor.
Callihan says that as Director of KDSON, he hopes to increase proficiency in clinical
judgment for new graduate nurses. “KDSON is poised to identify gaps in the current
educational system for nursing, implement interventions to improve clinical judgment,
and disseminate that information to have an impact on nursing education across the
globe,” he stated.
Bailes says education is constantly changing and institutions must adapt to those
changes. “Dr. Callihan has innovative ideas that will help to connect with our new
learners to make a stronger graduate, which means a stronger workforce,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing where he takes KDSON moving forward.”
