Celebrating 50 Years of Inspiring Care

School of Nursing 50th Anniversary Gala

January 24, 2026

Our doors opened in 1975

In 1975, Texas Eastern University established a division of nursing to grant baccalaureate of science in nursing to RNs looking to finish their degrees. While small at the time, this division eventually grew into the UT Tyler School of Nursing we know today.

Our Locations

Originally founded as a department of nursing at Texas Eastern University, UT Tyler School of Nursing now has three campus locations in Tyler, Longview and Palestine, as well as online programs.

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Our Programs

The first Bachelor's of Science in Nursing program was fully approved in 1979. Today, UT Tyler has grown to offer 17 different nursing degree and certificate programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the nation.

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Our Progress

Beginning with a class of 24 nurses, UT Tyler School of Nursing now graduates nearly 150 students each semester to help serve our community healthcare needs. Follow the link below to see how else we are making an impact in East Texas.

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Our Founding Mothers

The first people to begin making UT Tyler School of Nursing a reality were these three women.

Barbara Cushing, MSN, RNFounding Faculty

Doris Riemen, PhD, RNFounding Chair

Marian Rowe, PhD, RNFounding Faculty

Support our Mission

UT Tyler School of Nursing has experienced incredible growth over the years thanks to our generous donors and community supporters. Learn how you can take part in shaping our future!

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Honored for the recognition!

Dr. Chiquesha Davis

Dr. Davis earned her RN-BSN, MSN and DNP at UT Tyler. She is currently the Dean of the RN-BSN program at Dallas College!

Never dreamed I'd be where I'm at. I am humbled by my school!

Charles Dunnahoe

Since becoming an FNP, he has been awarded the Governor’s award for outstanding practice and has been recognized as the most desired provider in Navarro County. He recently hired a pediatric NP for his clinic and has been a preceptor for 63 different NP programs.

Proud of my time at UT Tyler!

Dr. Lisette Saleh

Dr. Lisette Saleh earned her PhD in Nursing from UT Tyler in 2017. She is an Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University where she created a course titled Aspects of Labor Support where she teaches undergraduate nursing students how to provide continued labor support to women in labor. Some students get the opportunity to provide free doula support to patients in local hospitals. Patients get the benefit of free doula support and students interested in working in labor and delivery get a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills.Her podcast, Baby Bliss Pregnancy Podcast, provides evidence-based information and has been uploaded across the world in over 19 countries. She also just launched Belly to Baby Coaching, a program to educate, encourage, and empower pregnant and postpartum women through personalized in-home or virtual nurse coaching. She provides individualized assistance and online courses to help foster confidence and well-being for every step from belly to baby. She hopes to take the role of the perinatal nurse from solely at the bedside to include in home support for the postpartum period.

Connect with Us

UT Tyler School of Nursing will celebrate our 50^th anniversary all year long! Be sure to follow us on social media so you can engage with our anniversary events, alumni recognition and community projects throughout the year.

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