ULM Kitty DeGree School of Nursing names new administrators, including Dr. Sandy Roncal as Director

Published December 15, 2025

Three women smile and pose in a medical setting.

CAPTION:听(L-R)听Dr. Kathy Kennedy, Associate Director of Graduate Programs; Dr. Sandy Roncal, Director of the Kitty听DeGree听School of Nursing; Lee Ann Box, MSN, RN, Associate Director of Undergraduate Program听

MONROE, La.听鈥撎�The Kitty听DeGree听School of Nursing听(KDSON)听at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) has named Dr. Sandy Roncal as its newest director.听Roncal assumed the role of Director on August 1, 2025,听after serving in various roles in听the school听since 2014.听听

"Leadership in education transcends titles and positions; it is about inspiring and empowering a community to strive for excellence,鈥� said Dr. Wendy Bailes, Dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences. 鈥淪ince 2014, Dr. Roncal has adeptly navigated multiple roles, equipping her with the skills and insight needed to elevate our institution. Over these past 11 years, I have听witnessed听her remarkable growth and unwavering dedication, and I am confident in her ability to lead our school into a promising future."听听

Since joining ULM in 2014, Roncal has advanced through a series of progressive academic and administrative leadership roles, including Adjunct Faculty, Tenure-Track Faculty, RN-BSN/MSN Online Coordinator, Coordinator of Online Programs, Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs, Interim Director, and now Director.听听

鈥淭his role is an incredible honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Kitty听DeGree听School of Nursing,鈥� said Roncal.听鈥淢y focus is on strengthening academic excellence, supporting our faculty, and ensuring our students are fully prepared for modern nursing听practice. I look forward to building on our school鈥檚听strong foundation听and leading meaningful progress in the years ahead.鈥�听

Roncal obtained her BSN from the ULM School of Nursing in 2005, her MSN in Nursing Education from Northwestern State in 2015, and her听Doctor听of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from听American Sentinel University in 2018.听听

A dedicated educator, Dr. Roncal has taught across multiple levels of the nursing curriculum, including pre-licensure BSN courses, RN-BSN coursework, graduate courses, simulation-based instruction, and academic success courses. She has designed听numerous听curricula, elective courses, and professional development programs grounded in evidence-based pedagogy, regulatory standards, and the needs of the contemporary nursing workforce.听

Her scholarly and professional interests include nursing education leadership, faculty development, professional identity formation, academic civility, and outcomes-based curriculum design. Dr. Roncal has contributed extensively to faculty mentoring initiatives, workforce stabilization strategies, and projects supporting student success and program quality.听

Dr. Roncal is a licensed Registered Nurse and a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). She is active in professional organizations including the American Nurses Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Louisiana Council of Administrators of Nursing Education (LACANE), and the National League for Nursing.听听

In addition to Roncal鈥檚 appointment as Director, the ULM Kitty听DeGree听School of Nursing has recently听promoted two听faculty members to administrative roles. The new additions include听Lee Ann Box, MSN, RN, as Associate Director of Undergraduate听Programs,听and Dr. Kathy Kennedy as Associate Director of Graduate Programs.听听

鈥淭hese new administrative appointments reflect KDSON鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence and to creating the best possible learning environment for our students,鈥� said Roncal. 鈥淓ach leader brings meaningful听expertise, a genuine passion for supporting students, and a collaborative spirit that strengthens our entire school. I am听truly grateful听for their dedication and excited for the positive impact we will make together.鈥�听

"I am enthusiastic about our school's leadership team, as each member brings a unique skill set to the administration that will unlock new opportunities for both students and faculty to realize their full potential,鈥� said Bailes. 鈥淟eading in higher education today is an immense responsibility, and I am confident that each of these leaders possesses the capability and commitment to not only听lead, but听lead with听distinction."听