Lachel Story PhD, RN
Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Lachel Story is a respected leader in nursing education and healthcare transformation, known for advancing innovative solutions to complex challenges in both healthcare and higher education. As Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi, she has led strategic initiatives that strengthened academic programs, expanded research capacity, and increased funding to support critical institutional priorities.
Dr. Story holds a PhD in Nursing Research from The University of Mississippi Medical Center, along with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her leadership roles, including Executive Associate Dean, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, and Director of Advanced Nursing Practice, reflect her expertise in academic transformation and workforce development. She has secured more than $10 million in grant funding and approximately $20 million in philanthropic support, contributing to scholarship programs, workforce initiatives, and innovative models of nursing education.
A published author and researcher, Dr. Story has written multiple editions of two Pathophysiology textbooks and numerous articles on patient‑centered care, health disparities, and educational innovation. Her national service includes consulting on accreditation and curriculum development and holding leadership roles in organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Southern Nursing Research Society. Her contributions have been recognized with honors including the Nightingale Award for Nurse Researcher of the Year and the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award.