A Message from Dean Versie Johnson-Mallard, Ph.D., RN, APRN, FAANP, FAAN

Photo of Dean Versie Johnson-Mallard, Ph.D., RN, APRN, FAANP, FAAN

Kent State University is the largest public multi-campus system in Northeast Ohio, with campuses serving nine local communities. We are one KSU, proud of KSU’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students, collaborative culture, exceptional academic and research orientation, and strong commitment to engagement; academic excellence; and people, culture and belonging. The College of Nursing has a 50-year history as an institution providing exceptional nursing education. We are well positioned to meet the growing demands of healthcare locally and nationally. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of nurses in the healthcare and community setting. Nurses serve on the front lines, caring for both physical and human issues. We have seen nurses step up to provide excellent care to patients and their families while supporting each other. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, released in May 2021 reporting in key areas, such as reducing practice barriers for nurses, advocating for nurses’ well-being, diversifying the nursing workforce also highlights the value of nursing.

The College offers a wide range of programs, from the BSN offered at five campuses located throughout Northeast Ohio to the MSN, DNP, and PhD in nursing. Our rigorous curriculum and strong community partnerships provide superior opportunities for our students. As one of the most competitive degree programs on the Kent State University campus, we attract highly qualified students who become leaders in transforming the profession of nursing. Our undergraduate and graduate students’ study and work in a variety of clinical environments, from small community-based clinics to large, world-renowned hospitals. In the Center for Nursing Research, students and faculty are supported by a team dedicated to their success in developing breakthroughs in nursing science.

I invite you to learn more about nursing as a career at our Why Nursing? page. If you would like information on how to become a nurse, or if you’re a nurse interested in expanding your nursing career, we have created a resource for you on our What Degree Should I Get? page. Knowledgeable academic advisers in our Office of Student Services are here to answer all of your questions. They may be reached by calling (330) 672-7911 or by email on our Contact Us page.

I am grateful to work with exceptional colleagues who join me in taking great pride in our profession and in College of Nursing faculty and staff working together to educate and support the next generation of nurses. Thank you for choosing Kent State’s College of Nursing programs for your nursing education. We look forward to helping you achieve your professional nursing career goals.

Go Flashes!

Versie Johnson-Mallard , Ph.D., RN, APRN, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor 
Henderson Memorial Endowed Chair
College of Nursing

Learn more about Dean Versie Johnson-Mallard by visiting her profile page here: www.kent.edu/leadership/dean-college-nursing.