Center for Success of Women Faculty

What is your current job title and responsibilities (please make sure we know your College, Department, etc.)?
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Orlando Health Endowed Chair
Pegasus Professor

What is your history at UCF and before UCF? (past job titles, responsibilities)
This is my silver anniversary at UCF. I find that hard to believe!
07/15-Present Dean and Orlando Health Distinguished Professor, University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando, FL
08/13-06/15 Interim Dean and Orlando Health Distinguished Professor, University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando, FL
08/99-Present Professor, University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando, FL
06/02-08/03 Interim Director, University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, FL
08/95-08/02 Graduate Program Coordinator, University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, FL
09/93-08/99 Associate Professor (Tenured 1995), University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, FL
08/91-05/93 Visiting Associate Professor, University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando and Cocoa, FL campuses
09/89-07/91 Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX
09/86-08/89 Instructor, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX (Joint Appointment with Santa Rosa Medical Center 09/86-08/88)
09/85-08/86 Clinical Instructor (Faculty Associate), University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing, San Antonio, TX
02/80-08/83 Chairman, Senior Level, Ohio Valley General Hospital (OVGH) School of Nursing, Wheeling, WV
08/77-02/80 Instructor, Senior Level, OVGH School of Nursing, Wheeling, WV (Educational Leave of Absence 09/78-08/79)
06/75-08/77 Staff Nurse, CCU and ICU, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling, WV

What is your academic background?
1987  PhD  University of Texas, Austin, TX  Adult Health Research
1979  MSN Ohio State University, Columbus, OH   Acute Care  Administration/Clinical Specialist
1977  BSN  Ohio University, Athens, OH   Nursing
1975  Diploma  Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing, Wheeling, WV  Nursing

What is your favorite UCF memory?
I have too many to narrow it to one. From teaching first semester nursing students to teaching in the inaugural MSN and PhD classes, it has all been fun. Also, the first football game in BrightHouse Stadium (despite “water”gate!).

If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? ($ and time no object)
It would be for it to have the national recognition that it deserves! And if I could have something more tangible, it would be a building for nursing and the health professions on the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona/Medical City.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
UCF does stand for opportunity. A wealth of opportunities are available at UCF. Take advantage of them.

 If UCF was going to name something in your honor, what would you like it to be and why?
It would be the Dr. Mary Lou Sole Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in Acute Care. Research has always (and continues to be) an important part of my professional life. It is important that research be valued. Conducting research in the acute care setting can be very challenging due to the nature of illness. I would like to have an award to recognize those who pursue this research path.

If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF (who you do not normally eat lunch with), who would you choose and why?
I’d like to pick two! First, I would like to have lunch with President Hitt. As dean, I see him regularly at events, but I would like the opportunity to just enjoy lunch and gain some lessons on leadership. Second, I love football. So if I could have lunch with Coach Frost, I would find that fascinating. And he might not expect the nursing dean to know players and positions!

Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
First and foremost, I want to thank Dr. Jean Kijek, former Department Chair and Emerita Professor, for hiring me. Second, I worked with an amazing team of dedicated faculty members who truly valued nursing education. Some are still affiliated with UCF: Drs. Maureen Covelli, Diane Wink, and Linda Hennig. Through my 25 years at UCF I have worked with an amazing faculty and student body. Lastly, I have to thank everyone I have worked with at the University. Each has contributed to my growth and development as a teacher, researcher, and administrator in some way.

Name and describe a teacher or researcher from your past who truly inspired you and why.
I have had many inspirational teachers and mentors. The person who inspired me to become a critical care nurse and then a teacher was Pat Kinnear, a faculty member at the Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing. She set high standards for learning and expected us to meet them. She was probably the “hardest” teacher I ever had. But I learned so much from her skill as a teacher. She then mentored me in my first teaching job.

What undergraduate or graduate class/program/experience inspired you the most and why?
I have had a wealth of experiences. One of the most challenging experiences for me was my first semester at UCF where I taught junior nursing students in their first classroom and clinical courses. It was completely opposite of my skill set, which was teaching seniors in the critical care area. This experience with beginning students taught me the importance of helping students to gain a solid foundation in the basics. It also taught me how to adapt better to the level of the learner. It was the hardest course I ever taught!

What is your favorite restaurant or food?
I like exploring a variety of restaurants and cuisines. But a good steak dinner at an upscale restaurant is hard to beat!

What is your favorite movie, book or music?
I love to read mysteries and thrillers. Growing up I loved the Nancy Drew series. Now, I don’t have a favorite book but love those written by Baldacci, Grisham, Child, and others.

What is your favorite vacation destination?
Any place with warm, clear, salt water. This includes the Southern coasts of Florida and the Keys.