Dr. Sonya Grypma, Dean of TWU School of Nursing, was inaugurated as President of Canadian Association Schools of Nursing (CASN) on November 21st, 2018 at the Annual Council Meeting held in Ottawa. Outgoing President, Dr. Pauline Paul (University of Alberta) will remain on as Past President for the next year. Dr. Linda Patrick (University of Windsor) will serve as President-Elect for the next two years.
CASN is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs at 95 member institutions in Canada. Sonya is ideally positioned for this role, having been involved in provincial nursing education leadership for several years. She also brings the long view to nursing education with her nurse historian lens.
“This is an exciting time for CASN,” Dr. Grypma remarks, “having just approved a new Strategic Plan for 2019-23. Two areas of particular interest are CASNs plans to advance leading practices, equity and the national response to the TRC Calls to Action in nursing education and scholarship, and to foster environments that inspire nurses to pursue nursing Master’s and PhDs and careers in academic nursing.”
The CASN Presidency is normally a five-year commitment, with two years as President-Elect, two-years as President, and one year in the Past President role.