Southern Miss Names Dr. Charleen McNeill as Dean of College of Nursing and Health Professions
Wed, 07/30/2025 - 01:04pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Dr. Charleen McNeill, an accomplished higher education administrator and faculty member with extensive professional healthcare experience, has been selected as dean of The University of Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) following a nationwide search.
McNeill comes to Southern Miss from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she currently serves as executive associate dean of academic affairs and holds a professorship in its College of Nursing. She will join the Southern Miss administrative team on Oct. 1, pending approval of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.
“I am truly honored to have been chosen for this role and am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to join the outstanding faculty, staff and students at Southern Miss,” said McNeill. “The University’s dedication to academic excellence, community involvement and student achievement aligns closely with my values, and I am eager to help contribute to the ongoing growth and impact of the College of Nursing and Health Professions–known for its strong culture of collaboration, dedicated faculty and clear focus on community impact.”
“I look forward to working together as we advance Southern Miss’s mission and serve the people of Mississippi with purpose and pride.”
Southern Miss Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lance Nail said members of the search committee and other university constituents recognized during the interview process that Dr. McNeill embodies the visionary leadership and grit that define Southern Miss. He also noted that she is well-positioned to continue the legacy of academic excellence and community engagement championed by retiring Dean Dr. Lachel Story.
“Finding a dean to grow the legacy built by Lachel Story is not an easy task, but I’m excited by the energy and ideas that Charleen brings,” said Nail. “During the interview process, she impressed the search committee with not only her tactical knowledge of nursing and healthcare, but also with her innovative ideas to advance the practice of nursing and improve healthcare outcomes.”
“As I heard her talk about creating more opportunities for CNHP students conducting undergraduate research in the Honors College, integrating AI into the curriculum, or partnering with our ROTC programs, it became clear why she was the right fit for us. We can’t wait for her to build her legacy within the college and the university.”
McNeill holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Tyler, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas, and an associate degree in nursing from Coastal Georgia Community College. Her research focuses on emergency shelter placement and community health issues, including emergency preparedness and response, resilience, opioid utilization, and the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic. She is a member of numerous professional healthcare organizations at the local, state, and national levels and has authored multiple research publications.
A U.S. Army veteran, McNeill attained the rank of staff sergeant during more than a decade of military service. She has held hospital and clinical leadership positions in healthcare facilities in Texas, Arkansas, and Georgia. She was recognized as the 2017 Inaugural Outstanding Alumni for the University of Texas at Tyler and the 2017 Outstanding Alumni for the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas, among other career honors.
McNeill said she brings to her new role at Southern Miss a leadership trajectory grounded in academic innovation, collaboration and a deep commitment to service.
“My past roles–ranging from executive associate dean of academic affairs to Ph.D. program director–have shaped an administrative philosophy centered on servant leadership, shared vision and inclusive decision-making,” she said. “I prioritize listening, empathy and stewardship, ensuring that faculty, staff and students are supported and empowered to thrive.”
McNeill’s perspective on healthcare education is shaped by the “pressing need to prepare resilient, workforce-ready professionals equipped to lead in a dynamic healthcare environment.”
“I see interprofessional education, equity and real-world application as essential to transforming both learners and the communities they serve,” she explained. “My vision is to elevate student success and access, expand research and scholarly impact, advance inclusive excellence and well-being, and strengthen clinical and community partnerships.”
“I aim to position the college as a regional leader in workforce innovation–responsive to Mississippi’s needs and committed to improving health outcomes across the spectrum of care.”
Dr. Bret Becton, dean of the Southern Miss College of Business and Economic Development and chair of the search committee, said that what stood out throughout the selection process was Dr. McNeill’s thoughtful leadership style, deep commitment to student success, and ability to connect authentically with faculty, staff and students alike.
“We were especially impressed by her clarity of vision, her collaborative spirit and the strength of her academic and military leadership experience,” Becton said. “I’m confident that under her leadership, the college will continue to advance its mission, grow its impact and contribute meaningfully to the broader success of the university."
For more information about the Southern Miss College of Nursing and Health Professions, visit the website.