Christi Glesmann, EdD, was still a high school student when she first stepped onto College of Saint Mary’s campus. As she was visiting various colleges, a family friend suggested she check out CSM.
“Once I came here, met with faculty and did the campus tour, I canceled all my other campus visits,” she said. “I already knew this was where I wanted to go.”
Today, Christi has four degrees from CSM, including master’s and doctoral degrees, and she is a professor and the head of the nursing department.
After earning her associate's and bachelor’s degrees from CSM, Christi began working in the pediatrics unit at CHI Health Bergan Mercy Hospital. While working there, CSM administrators approached her about serving as an adjunct professor for clinical rotations.
“That was my first experience in teaching,” she said.
A year later, she was hired full-time as an assistant instructor. For the first five years of her teaching career, Christi worked full-time at CSM and part-time at Bergan Mercy.
“I thought it was important that I continue getting my practice hours, and I genuinely loved that,” she said. “I had an outstanding team there.”
But when the pediatrics unit was moved to Boys Town West, Christi decided to just teach.
“Coming to CSM, I knew what type of environment it was. I knew how supportive it was. I had a lot of self-development as a student here. I had matured a lot. I grew up in ways I might not have in some of those bigger schools. I just really wanted to do that for another group of students,” she said.
Christi knows that she and all the nursing faculty impact future nurses through the Practical Nursing Certificate program, the Bachelor of Nursing program, the LPN to BSN program, and beyond.
“Your impact as nursing faculty at CSM extends beyond the classroom,” she said. “You are helping to shape the future of nursing by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become compassionate, skilled, and ethical healthcare professionals. Your dedication and mentorship leave a lasting imprint on the lives of your students and the field of nursing as a whole.”
As a CSM alumna, Christi is proud to serve as the University’s nurse administrator. She meets students early on in their educational journey, and then she’s there when they prepare to transition from student to practicing nurse. She helps them through those challenges during their preceptorship class.
“Being part of an institution that is profoundly mission-driven and committed to making a lasting impact on our communities has been a source of immense fulfillment,” she said. “Every day, I have the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of future nurses, just as my mentors did for me.”
To Christi, working at CSM is not just a job; it’s a calling.
“It's a place where the spirit of mission and community thrives and where each team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare and education,” she said. “I am proud to be a part of an institution that embraces these values and is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.”
