Charlene Bermele, DNP, RN, CNE, has been named interim dean of the College of Nursing, Health Sciences, and Business at Saint Xavier University.
The position had previously been filled by Gwendolyn George, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC. George started at the university in 2020 after serving as the program coordinator of the Graduate Nurse Practitioner program at Loyola University New Orleans according to an SXU News article.
Bermele noted she started the position on Sept. 1, 2023 after George began an administrative leave.
The Office of Academic Affairs will consider the next steps “for a search to fill the dean role for the 2024-2025 academic year” in the coming months, as shared by Bermele, who does not speak on behalf of the university.
12 positions across the university are currently labeled as interim according to the Campus Directory, not including the interim position filled by Bermele.
Previously known as the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SONHS), the College of Nursing, Health Sciences, and Business now houses students from the School of Nursing, the Pre-Health Professions program and the Graham School of Management. It also houses students from the Biology, Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Science, Computer Science, Gerontology, and Natural Science majors.
The college also includes the Physical Education minor and the Sports and Fitness Administration program.
Bermele emphasized that the administrative changes and restructuring would not impact students. She continued to add that the directors “are experts serve in each area and will continue to foster programs and their growth.”
She is “hopeful the University will see more possibilities of new program offerings being developed across disciplines to share faculty talents and expertise with one another and students.” Bermele continued.
The university currently offers 42 undergraduate major programs and 38 undergraduate minor programs.
During her time at the university, Bermele came to know “many of the students, staff, and faculty throughout the University”. She added that she looks forward to continuing to build relationships with her colleagues in the Graham School of Management and in Computer Science, Biology, and Chemistry “to uphold the delivery of high-quality education SXU is known for.”
Bermele started as a staff nurse at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, taking on various leadership roles during her time there and even working as a nurse educator.
She received her MSN in Leadership and Community Health from Saint Xavier, leading her to move her career to the university in 2004.
After serving as the Director of the Nursing Lab, Bermele transitioned into a full-time faculty role in which she taught undergraduate courses and clinicals.
In 2019, Bermele became the Director of Online Nursing Programs before she assumed the role of Associate Dean of SONHS in 2021, continuing to serve as the Interim Dean for SONHS in the spring semester of 2022. She returned to the Interim Dean as a result of George’s administrative leave.
Bermele emphasized that she enjoys working with people and that her “entire career has been engaged in helping make a difference in people’s lives”, she looks forward to her work in the position.