For almost two decades, Linda Siktberg has demonstrated excellence in administrative leadership ranging from the associate degree program in the 1990s, to the Distance Learning Baccalaureate Completion Program and to her 2001 appointment as director of the School of Nursing. Under her guidance and meticulous preparation, a comprehensive self-study report was submitted to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in 2005. In their review, the accreditation visitors stated: "Faculty members reported that the director has strong management skills and makes assignments fairly. Graduate students interviewed by telephone indicated that the director has strong leadership skills."

There are other external indicators of the effective administration of Siktberg. Even as the enrollment in the undergraduate program has increased dramatically, there remain high pass rates for the program's graduates, often near 100 percent. She has also addressed the dire shortage of nurses, now and in the future, through delivery of distance learning at both the master's level with nurse practitioner, nurse educator and nurse administrator tracks and the undergraduate level with the aforementioned RN to baccalaureate degree completion program. Further, under her administration, the School of Nursing has become a leader in innovative technology applications in the classroom, Simulation Laboratory and clinical agencies. National refereed publications and presentations attest to the substantive quality of this development.

Finally, Siktberg's administrative style has fostered strong collaborations between school constituents and external partners. Relationships with alumni have never been better, and she has facilitated a growing partnership with nursing faculty at University College Worcester in England.

A quote from one of her supporting letters sums up a major administrative strength: "Dr. Siktberg is future-oriented, a much-needed perspective in providing education for nurses who must be ready to provide care in an increasingly complex health care system." To be "future-oriented" or visionary is high praise for any administrator, and for that reason and then some, we are pleased to present Linda Siktberg with the 2006-2007 Outstanding Administrative Service Award.