Dean of SIUE School of Nursing

“I remember standing by my mother’s kitchen stove one day, and she just said, ‘You know, you would be a really good nurse.’ And that just stuck in my mind. And then that plus, you know, being a candy striper.”

That moment pivoted Judy Liesveld’s path into nursing and reflects the values that continue to guide her today.

At the heart of Liesveld’s approach is a deep commitment to people, both patients and the students who will one day care for them. She sees nursing not simply as a profession, but as a calling rooted in compassion, resilience, and whole-person care. As Dean of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Nursing, she leads with a clear purpose: to prepare nurses who are not only clinically skilled, but confident, adaptable, and ready for the realities of modern healthcare.

Candy Striper to Nurse Practitioner

Liesveld’s introduction to nursing began long before her formal nursing education. As a high school student, she volunteered as a candy striper, helping patients with everyday needs and observing the hospital environment firsthand.

“I really enjoyed it. You got to see the hospital environment and basically what nurses do. That was probably the impetus.”

That experience, combined with her mother’s encouragement, led her to the University of Iowa for her bachelors, and launched a career grounded in hands-on care and real-world understanding.

A Defining Experience in New Mexico

Liesveld spent much of her clinical career in New Mexico as a pediatric nurse practitioner, where she worked in a richly diverse community.

“Gallup, New Mexico is a really interesting community… a great mixture of Native American, Latino, Anglo, and individuals and families from India and Saudi Arabia.”

One moment, particularly, stayed with her. “As I was looking out my office window, a woman in traditional Navajo dress who was entering the clinic strolled past a woman from India dressed in a sari leaving the clinic. I thought, ‘I love this richly diverse small community.’”

These experiences reinforced the importance of respecting the diversity and uniqueness of individuals. This approach would later shape her philosophy as an educator.

Defining Her Goal

Motivated by a passion for learning and mentorship, Liesveld decided her career goal was to be a dean. Earning her PhD at the University of New Mexico, she made the transition into academia. She began as faculty at the University of New Mexico and advanced through leadership roles.

“I started as faculty, and then I was a coordinator, and then a chair, and then I became an associate dean.”

Each step expanded her perspective on education and leadership. When the opportunity to lead in Illinois at SIUE arose, she saw it as the right next step, one that aligned with her goals and values in nursing education. Today, she emphasizes preparing students for more than exams by focusing on critical thinking, communication, and adaptability through hands-on, real-world learning.

Leading Growth and Innovation at SIUE

At SIUE, Liesveld’s leadership centers on student success.

“The mission and vision of the school are very student-centric. I want every student who wants to be a nurse to be successful and to graduate and have a wonderful career, like I’ve had.”

She also prioritizes strong teaching. “We focus on excellence in teaching. I encourage faculty to continue growing and learning.”

Building the Future of Nursing Education

When Liesveld arrived at SIUE, plans for a new nursing facility were still developing. She has helped shape the space to support modern learning needs.

“Simulation in nursing has just come so far, and our brand new building this year has an amazing Simulation Center. I wish I could have been a student there [SIUE] when I was going through school.”

The result is a state-of-the-art facility designed for hands-on learning. Through simulation and immersive experiences, students practice navigating difficult conversations, managing stress, and responding to real-world challenges before entering clinical settings.

“You put the goggles on, and you’re in a hospital room with a patient, and you have the chance to interact with them. You have the chance to pass medications to them. You can do anything that the virtual reality sim has been set up for. It’s amazing.”

Expanding Access Through Direct Admission

Liesveld has also been a strong advocate for expanding access to nursing education through SIUE’s direct admission model.

“In the past couple of years, we started having what’s called direct admissions, which means that if you come to SIUE as a freshman, you know immediately that you’re in the nursing program.”

Under the previous structure, students were required to complete prerequisite coursework before applying to the program, without any guarantee of acceptance.

Now, that uncertainty has been removed. “SIUE now has the entire campus. It’s direct admission for anyone who comes.” With students admitted from day one, the focus shifts from competition to support. “Once students are in, [it’s about] making sure they are successful.” 

The impact has been significant. SIUE has seen an over 20% increase in its nursing undergraduate program. Liesveld also states that the new simulation facility plays a key role in the success. By removing barriers and creating supportive programs, students are being set up for long-term success. 

Preparing Nurses for the Future

While Liesveld is proud of the program’s growth, her focus remains on the future of nursing. She advocates for expanding opportunities for nurses to practice at the full scope of their abilities and to be fully recognized for their contributions.

She is particularly engaged in efforts related to the Nursing Practice Act and the Nursing License Compact, policies that affect flexibility, mobility, and access within the profession.

For the past two years, Dean Liesveld has been a State Grassroots Liaison (SGL) with AACN, representing Illinois through IACN. In this role she serves as a state advocacy leader and helps to lead AACN Illinois Deans and students during annual Capitol Hill Visits advocating for academic nursing. Liesveld stated ‘Participating as an SGL has been rewarding in helping move policies and agendas forward that will benefit academic nursing.’

Through her leadership and advocacy, Liesveld is helping to shape a future in which nurses are supported, empowered, and equipped to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.