Meet the Dean: Mayola Rowser

On May 17, 2019, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing welcomed Mayola Rowser, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP, as the new Jack Taylor Dean and Professor. She has brought to her role a wealth of experience in academia and a passion for the nursing profession. On May 17, 2019, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing welcomed Mayola Rowser, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP, as the new Jack Taylor Dean and Professor. She has brought to her role a wealth of experience in academia and a passion for the nursing profession.

Born and raised in Evansville, Ind., Dean Rowser received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. She also holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Following graduation from nursing school, Dean Rowser began her career in psychiatric mental health. She first worked as a staff nurse in an access center, screening and triaging patients with behavioral health problems. From there, she held roles as a utilization management nurse and a credentialing manager, before accepting a position at the University of Southern Indiana.

“I always knew I wanted to be a nurse,” says Dean Rowser. “But I didn’t really see the academic route until I began at the university. It was then that I finally saw the opportunities within academics and its potential for a rewarding career path.”

Over the course of 13 years, Dean Rowser held a number of positions at the University of Southern Indiana. These included director of a grant, chair of the master’s and doctoral programs, assistant dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions and most recently, director of graduate studies.

While working, Dean Rowser completed her doctoral studies, allowing her to begin her own practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, which she continued until her appointment at Goldfarb. She also volunteered her time as a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) site evaluator and as a grant reviewer, which prove to be quite insightful in her future role at Goldfarb.

Her Vision for Goldfarb

Dean Rowser found many aspects of Goldfarb to be appealing — from the growing graduate programs in partnership with Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy to the innovative nursing research — but she was also excited about the position for a much more personal reason. With oversight of all 15 graduate programs at the University of Southern Indiana, Goldfarb afforded her the opportunity to be solely focused on nursing.

Since her appointment as dean last May, Dean Rowser has fully assumed her role as chief academic officer of the college. Her day-to-day responsibilities vary, but they are always focused on student outcomes — and as part of that, faculty outcomes. She shares Goldfarb’s vision of being a national leader in nursing education, research and scholarship.

Dean Rowser hopes to maintain high NCLEX pass rates through highly qualified faculty with expertise in an array of clinical areas. She also wants to further Goldfarb’s reputation as a center for nursing science by supporting researchers at both the faculty and student level. Beyond this, her vision includes broader diversity of faculty, staff and students; greater partnerships outside of the school and within; and increased grant and external funding to support scholarships and research.

Considering all that Goldfarb has to offer, Dean Rowser was surprised by how much of a well-kept secret it is. Together, she and her colleagues are making efforts to raise the school’s visibility

Her Passion for Nursing

It has only been a year, but Dean Rowser has already found great joy in her new position. “I enjoy so many different things about being part of the college,” says Dean Rowser. “I enjoy working with my colleagues, spending time with students and witnessing so many successes and continued successes since being here,” she says.

Outside of the college, Dean Rowser enjoys golfing, bike riding, reading, knitting and walking her dog. Living all across the country, she cherishes her time with her two adult sons, Darius and DeJuan, whenever they are together. She’s still exploring St. Louis but is savoring its great arts and culture offerings including musicals at the Fabulous Fox, concerts at the Symphony and visits to the Art Museum.

Though the move to St. Louis was a first for Dean Rowser, she has truly found her place here. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back in nursing,” she says. “I loved what I did before, but coming back to nursing, it just feels good to me. It feels like I’m back at home.”

This article originally appeared in the 2019 issue of Goldfarb Magazine. Go to our Publications page to access the full issue and past editions.