Kent State University’s new dean for the College of Nursing, Barbara Broome, plans to make changes within the college to uphold its legacy. Broome began her journey as the new dean for the College of Nursing on Monday, March 17, 2014.

Broome is the sixth dean for the College of Nursing, and previously served as the associate dean in the College of Nursing at University of South Alabama. She is an alumna of Kent State’s branch campus in Trumble, Ohio. Broome received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Kent State and received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Broome said the experience so far has been exciting and wonderful.

“The processes will be slow and thoughtful, not rapid at all,” she said. “I see us continuing with the wonderful education and wonderful experience students have now.”

Broome plans to bring some changes to give opportunities to students of the College of Nursing, including expanding online programs, hiring more faculty and staff, creating a simulation lab, and growing DNP and Ph.D. leveled degrees.

“It’s absolutely wonderful being back because it’s home,” Broome said. “Being on the other side, I just find that it is a great opportunity to continue the great legacy that Kent has in the College of Nursing. It’s been a real positive experience being back here.”

Broome is planning to develop closer relationships with satellite campuses, especially now with the new university president, Beverly Warren. 

A senior nursing student, Alayna Lajeunesse, said she is curious to see how Broome will make changes and see her plans for the nursing program.

“I’m hoping, with the new dean, the College of Nursing will become even better and she can uphold the legacy,” Lajeunesse said. “A fresh new start, new face, and new ideas can bring many ideas and ways of improving it.”

For nursing students that have families or full-time jobs, Broome said she hopes to bring more online classes to bring even more flexibility to student’s schedules.

“I’m just really excited and honored to be back,” she said. “There are no words to express the emotions that you feel when your colleagues say ‘you’re the one we’d like to have.”

Contact Jennie Barr at [email protected].