Over the last decade, Sole has led UCF’s nursing program to national prominence for academic excellence and innovative research, and overseen the growth of programs, partnerships and experts to positively impact the health of Central Florida and beyond.
Mary Lou Sole, dean of UCF’s College of Nursing, has announced her retirement effective Summer 2025. Sole was appointed dean in 2015 after serving as interim dean since 2013.
She joined UCF in 1991 as a visiting associate professor after previously serving as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in San Antonio.
“At that time, I moved from being a small fish in a large pond at an academic health sciences center to a big fish in a small pond in a school of nursing,” she says.
In 1991, UCF’s nursing program admitted only 60 students per year and had approximately 15 faculty members.
“But, as a faculty member, this meant we taught students in both the classroom and clinical setting,” says Sole. “To me, this was the best part as it really enhanced learning.”
In her more than three decades since, Sole has witnessed — and played a key role — in the incredible growth and impact of UCF’s nursing program. Today, UCF’s College of Nursing has more than 2,700 students, 75 faculty members and 16,000 Knight nurse alumni.
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