Dr. Kathleen Bradshaw LaSala visited campus Tuesday to speak on her plans to build excellence in each area of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. 

LaSala is one of the three candidates for the dean position of the Harris College. She is currently the associate dean of academic affairs at the University of South Carolina.

“I understand the basis of all the different programs,” LaSala said. “And I understand that each of them are equally important with different focuses.”

LaSala said she wants the college to become superior in its nursing program and health sciences program. She said this goal includes performing top-quality research, fundraising, rewarding scholarships and recruiting the best teachers and students.

LaSala complimented the many opportunities TCU offers to faculty and students.

“The student to faculty ratio at TCU is something that really stands out to me,” LaSala said. “It is our job to identify individuals’ specific priorities and needs in order to help them succeed.”

If selected as dean, LaSala said her top priority is to create strong relationships with the college faculty.

“It is important that I share a mutual trust with my colleagues on my intentions,” LaSala said. “All of the decisions I make as a dean are based on what is right for us as a whole.”

Dr. Susan Mace Weeks, associate dean of Harris college of Nursing & Health Sciences at TCU, is scheduled to speak at the open forum in Smith room 104 on Feb. 19.

The previous Harris College dean, Paulette Burns, died of pancreatic cancer in December.

Harris College Dean Search Committee Chairman Dr. Joel Mitchell said the decision of the new dean should be made by the end of this month.