Dr. Lachel Story is the Professor and Dean at the College of Nursing and Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

Lachel began her career as a registered nurse before joining USM in 2004. She is a faculty member within the college’s School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice. Her research involves working with interdisciplinary teams and communities to create change using a community-based participatory research approach.

Professor Story, got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from USM and earned a Ph.D. in nursing research from University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is also a fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Leadership for Academic Nursing Program as well as fellow of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Higher Education Management Development Program.