Interim President Pamela S. Chally
Dr. Pamela S. Chally became the interim president of the
University of North Florida on Sept. 18, 2021.
A member of the UNF community for nearly three decades, Dr. Chally
is a hands-on, collaborative leader dedicated to student success. She has served as the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs as well as
dean and professor of nursing in the Brooks College of Health. During her 28
years at UNF, she has championed and expanded experiential learning
opportunities for students to ensure they have the real-world experience needed
to succeed in their fields.
As
interim provost, Dr. Chally coordinated teams focused on student
success rates, leading to a 34% improvement in state performance metrics. She integrated
Student Affairs into the University’s Academic Affairs Division, while also
successfully leading the University through the reaffirmation of accreditation.
While
serving as dean of the Brooks College of Health, Dr. Chally raised more than
$30 million for the college and added three new doctoral programs ― nursing,
nutrition and physical therapy. Enrollment in the college increased by more
than 20% during her tenure as dean. A respected academic and researcher, she has
been published in a myriad of prominent journals on vital subjects,
including ethics in nursing and eating disorders.
Dr. Chally is an active leader in the Jacksonville community having served
on multiple boards and advisory councils, including the I.M. Sulzbacher
Center for the Homeless, Baptist Health System, Brooks Rehabilitation and
Ronald McDonald House. She has been honored as a Women with Heart by
Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville, a Florida Times-Union Eve Award Winner, a
Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal and has received
numerous awards and recognitions from community organizations including the
Desmond Tutu Peace and Reconciliation Award, recognition from the Mayor’s
Commission on the Status of Women, the Girls Scouts of Gateway Council Women of
Distinction Award, among others.
Dr. Chally earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the
University of Illinois, a Master of Nursing from Emory University, and a
doctoral degree in nursing from Georgia State University. She and her husband,
Rod, are blessed with two children and five granddaughters.
