Luciane Bisognin Ceretta

Luciane Bisognin Ceretta is the first woman to assume the position of rector at the University of Southern Santa Catarina (Unesc). In addition to her high-ranking role in the University administration, she is also the president of the Association of Educational Foundations of Santa Catarina (Acafe). In her role as Acafe president, Luciane leads important initiatives that have expanded public funding for higher education in Santa Catarina, strengthening the community universities in the state.

She graduated in Nursing from the Federal University of Santa Maria, completed her master's degree in Nursing at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in 1999, and obtained her doctorate in Health Sciences from Unesc in 2011. Additionally, she holds four MBAs in Strategic Business Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, and Project Management, as well as eight specializations, four in the health field and four in education.

Recently, she completed a specialization in Health Education at the Center for Studies and Extension in Health (CEES) of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo (FMUSP). She is currently pursuing a degree in Law at Unesc.

With a 30-year career as a university professor, Luciane is also a State Education Counselor of Santa Catarina, a National Education Counselor in the Higher Education Chamber, and Vice President of the Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities (Crub). Her career is marked by a commitment to academic excellence, the development of education, and the promotion of scientific research in Brazil.

Luciane has an impressive academic portfolio with 300 published research works, over 150 scientific articles, nearly 30 books as an author or organizer, more than 15 book chapters, and almost 20 technological products that significantly impact university education and health.

In the field of health, the rector's journey is marked by a significant contribution to public health. A researcher in the areas of Health Sciences and Education, Luciane worked in Iporã do Oeste and Criciúma, where she implemented primary care models and health units in underserved areas. As a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, she developed innovative projects for health planning and management in various Brazilian states, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

She has received numerous honors and awards, including the Diploma of Educational Merit from the State Education Council of Santa Catarina, the Women in Science Award from the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina; the Leaders of LIDE Santa Catarina Award in the category "National Highlight in Catarinense Leadership"; and the Women in Science Amélia Império Hamburger Award from the Chamber of Deputies.

She was recognized by Fiocruz for her studies on the effects of Covid-19 and support to Brazilian municipalities and received the title of Catarinense Citizen, proposed by the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina (Alesc).

At the Ordinary General Assembly of the Brazilian Association of Community Institutions of Higher Education (Abruc), she was awarded the Merit of Community Education.

Luciane has also received the Outstanding Nursing Professional Award in Santa Catarina, granted by the Regional Nursing Council of Santa Catarina, recognizing her contribution to nursing and public health.