Vickie Gukenberger has spent most of her career in health career education, and she brings a wealth of experience to her position as the Director of Nursing Programs at College of DuPage.
 

While the position may be new to the College, it’s a familiar role for Gukenberger, who was the first director of Nursing at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids. One of Gukenberger’s main goals at COD is to take the College’s separate nursing programs – Practical Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant and Associate Degree in Nursing – and create a single department that encompasses all three.
 

“As I focus on my first year, I also plan to study the processes and operations (for these programs) with a goal of enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness,” said the Palatine resident. “Beyond this, I want to maintain and attain community partnerships to meet the needs of nurses and our nursing staff, continue to establish relationships with clinical organizations for learning opportunities, expand partnerships with high schools, and adopt the use of enhanced technology within the curriculum.”
 

Gukenberger moved to the Chicago area eight years ago. Most recently, she served as dean of Health and Public Safety at Harper College and provided consulting services for several area community colleges.
 

Gukenberger spent much of her career in her native Wisconsin. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a master’s in Nursing from Marquette University, and a doctorate in Educational Administration and Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked as the chief nursing officer at two hospitals in Wisconsin and as director of Nursing, dean of Health and Safety, and dean of Academic Affairs at various community colleges in Wisconsin.
 

“My passion is community college education,” she said. “My favorite saying is to begin with the end in mind. Because by doing so, you know where you want to go. I’m already impressed with how College of DuPage is student-focused and that we are clear about our product.”