As Chair of the Department of Nursing, Dr. Gangeness is responsible for the coordination of the Department. Her research, Built Environment and Rural Women: A Case Study Approach included two rural communities and has been a conduit of further exploration of Rural Culture for both her research, the program, and curriculum. She has published in the areas of tobacco policy, case study design, and online nursing education. Dr. Gangeness earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing (University of North Dakota), a master’s degree in nursing (University of North Dakota), and her PhD in nursing (University of North Dakota). Dr. Gangeness taught for one year for Northwest Technical College, Bemidji in the Practical Nursing Program. Prior to teaching, she was a Public Health Nurse for over 10 years with Cass County (MN) Public Health Division. Dr. Gangeness was a Maternal Child Health Public Health Nurse, who also did Prevention Programming (Pregnancy, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs), as well as training the Home Health Aide Staff. Prior to working with Public Health, she worked full-time as a float staff nurse from 1990-1992 at Riverside Medical Center in Minneapolis (a 1200 bed acute care and long-term care facility). Her nursing experience includes pediatrics, orthopedics, telemetry, oncology, spinal care, medical-surgical and IV Float Staff. Dr. Gangeness brings 11 years of public health nursing experience, 2 years of acute care experience, and school nursing experience to this position. Her interests include community health policy, rural health, prevention initiatives, and nursing education.