I would like to recognize Sarah Olson. I am not quite sure how she does it, but she has managed to juggle being a mom of two very young little girls and wife of a husband who works shift work while somehow returning to school and working full-time plus. Sarah is in her final semester of her DNP degree and working 1 day a week as an FNP for the Omro School District. I remember having the conversation with Sarah about earning a terminal degree, she was worried she wouldn't have the time to devote to such an endeavor. Yet, loved teaching and knew the degree would benefit her personally and professionally. So, she did her research, made the decision to return to school, and never looked back. During the Spring of 2019, Sarah assisted me with clinical placement as I transitioned to my new role. She did such an amazing job, I received the okay to hire a clinical placement coordinator for the growing FNP program. I asked Sarah if she would consider the position of clinical placement coordinator position and that it would mean increasing her FTE and accepting an annualized contract. Sarah contemplated this decision for a few days, but ultimately said yes because "it is what the program needs and I think I could do a great job". Just when I thought Sarah couldn't (or shouldn't) juggle anymore, COVID-19 hit Wisconsin and who was the first IAS to step up and ask "what else can I do to help?"
Sarah is kind, compassionate, and articulate when dealing with students and co-workers. She answers student emails quickly which leads to decreased student anxiety. Have you ever noticed how one wound up student can get the whole cohort going quicker than you can type a reply to an email? I know that we have many stellar IAS and Faculty, but this year I can confidently say the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's College of Nursing would not be as well run without the extraordinary support and devotion of soon to be Dr. Olson, and the students would not have had as great of an educational journey. Hail Titans.