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Story by Tessa Henderson

South Dakota State University’s College of Nursing has welcomed two new employees to its programming in West River South Dakota.

Julie Mendelson, who has been serving as an administrative assistant at the college’s Rapid City campus, will soon transition to its academic nursing clinical site manager. In this position, Mendelson will coordinate clinical placements for undergraduate and graduate nursing students and serve as a liaison between the College of Nursing and clinical partners to ensure high-quality student placement experiences.

Mendelson earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Colorado Mesa University. She then worked for seven years in judicial services until she decided to transition to elder care and health services. In this field, she held management roles in assisted living, hospice and human services.

Mendelson was drawn to the position with the College of Nursing because she is able to work alongside fellow professionals in a supportive and innovative environment.

Mendelson moved to the Black Hills seven years ago with her husband and children, who are 8 and 10 years old. In her free time, she enjoys being a part of her kids’ school, activities and sports. Her hobbies include reading, gardening, baking, music and enjoying a coffee.

“I’m passionate about public health issues and serving my community. I’m looking forward to gaining more familiarity with College of Nursing programs and goals, clinical partnerships and collaborative efforts to grow the health care workforce,” Mendelson said. “I’m also thrilled to be part of the growth of SDSU in western South Dakota.”

Arizona native Sheila Whitney has joined the College of Nursing staff on the Rapid City campus as a full-time instructor.

Whitney is currently working with undergraduate nursing students in their first through fifth semesters in various areas of the program such as labs and on-campus clinicals. She is also currently in two summer workgroups in which she is helping create courses for the new concept-based curriculum to which the college is transitioning.
 
Whitney moved to Rapid City after her husband’s residency, starting off her nursing career as a certified nursing assistant. She then decided to go back to school to become a licensed practical nurse and soon after realized that she wanted grow in her nursing career.

Whitney then went back to school to obtain her master’s in nursing education at Western Governors University shortly after receiving her Bachelor of Science in nursing, at South Dakota State University.

Whitney enjoys working with students and sharing her passion for education and the nursing career. She has already enjoyed meeting and working with other faculty at SDSU, not just in Rapid City, but across the state.

“Our facility is moving into a new building in the fall, and I'm looking forward to the fresh space, new curriculum, sharing ideas with faculty, and teaching students,” Whitney said.

In her free time, she likes to read, video chat with her granddaughter in Minnesota, and edit books for writers on occasion.

“Nursing was always knocking at that door,” Whitney said. “In the end, I realized that I could combine both of my passions of teaching and nursing with my love of writing and reading.”