The George Washington University has announced the appointment of Susan Kelly-Weeder as the next dean of the School of Nursing. She begins her new role on July 17, 2023.
An accomplished leader, educator and health behaviors researcher, Kelly-Weeder joins GW from the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, where she was the associate dean for graduate programs. In this role and utilizing a student-centered approach, she redesigned the graduate nursing curriculum. To advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), she led the development of a required graduate-level diversity course and implemented a holistic admission process that increased diversity among incoming graduate students.
“We were extremely impressed by Dr. Kelly-Weeder’s collaborative spirit, commitment to academic excellence and work enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the nursing profession,” said Provost Christopher Alan Bracey. “Combined with her considerable experience in the field, the classroom and as a leader, she is well-positioned to direct the School of Nursing to new heights and a bright future.”
Kelly-Weeder is the immediate past president of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), the leading organization specifically devoted to promoting high-quality nurse practitioner (NP) education at both the national and international levels. In this capacity, she led a major strategic planning initiative, advanced academic-practice partnerships to develop models for NP clinical education and enhanced NP faculty development.
“I am honored and truly humbled to be the next dean of the George Washington University School of Nursing,” said Kelly-Weeder. “I look forward to working with the School of Nursing’s outstanding faculty, students and staff to further advance the school and nursing profession.”
Kelly-Weeder earned her B.S. in nursing from Simmons College and her M.S. and Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She maintains a clinical practice in family and college health as a board-certified family nurse practitioner. An NIH-funded researcher, her work has focused on motivational interventions to reduce binge drinking and disordered eating behaviors in college students, and she is widely published in the areas of high-risk health behaviors and nurse practitioner education. A long-time educator, Kelly-Weeder has taught across undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. programs.
A committee comprising faculty, trustees, staff, students and an alumna identified Kelly-Weeder as a strong candidate after a national search because of her progressive experience in faculty administrative roles and her commitment to academic excellence.
“Dr. Kelly-Weeder is a nationally known leader in nurse practitioner education committed to improving health care and health equity through research, policy and education,” said Christine Pintz, chair of the search committee. “The search committee was impressed with her collaborative approach to leadership, which will allow the School of Nursing to partner across schools and in the community.”
Jean E. Johnson, founding dean of the George Washington University School of Nursing, will continue to lead the school as interim dean until Kelly-Weeder’s arrival.
“I have known Dr. Kelly-Weeder for many years, and she consistently demonstrates effectiveness, creativity and kindness in her leadership and has greatly influenced the direction of nursing,” said Johnson. “She is a visionary who cares deeply about faculty, staff and students. She will be a superb leader for the School of Nursing.”
