Missouri Western has named a new dean for the universities College of Professional Studies.

Dr. Kathleen O’Connor will take the new position July first.

She has served with the universities nursing faculty at Western since 1980.   She became an assistant professor in 1987, then an associate professor and chairperson of the department of nursing in 1998.

The College of Professional Studies includes the departments of criminal justice, legal studies and social work; education; engineering technology; health, physical education and recreation; military science; and nursing and allied health.