Andrews appointed founding dean of UM-Flint's School of Nursing

Margaret M. Andrews will serve as the founding dean of the University of Michigan-Flint's School of Nursing. Her appointment was approved Thursday by the U-M Board of Regents.

"It's an honor and privilege to be the founding dean of the School of Nursing," said Andrews. "I thank President Schlissel, the Regents, Chancellor Borrego, Provost Knerr, and the School of Nursing faculty and staff for their confidence in me."

Andrews received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from St. John College in 1972, her MSN degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1974, and her PhD from the University of Utah in 1985. She joined the faculty at the University of Michigan-Flint in 2006 as a professor with tenure. She has been the interim dean of the School of Nursing since its creation in November 2016. Before that, Andrews served as director of UM-Flint's Department of Nursing for 10 years.

"Creating a new school is like dropping a stone in a pond," said Andrews. "The ripples reverberate far and wide necessitating numerous changes–everything from letterhead to finances to faculty governance."

"We are fortunate to have Dean Andrews' exceptional experience guiding the next phase of the School of Nursing's development," said UM-Flint Chancellor Susan E. Borrego. "We look forward to continued innovation and growth of our nursing programs to achieve even greater prominence in our region, throughout the state, and across the nation."

Among Andrews' goals for the School is a renewed commitment to research.

"Research and scholarship are integral to our 2018-2023 strategic plan," she said. "Thanks to a generous gift from the Ruth Mott Foundation, the School of Nursing faculty have invited several top leaders in research as visiting professors to consult with nursing students and faculty on the School of Nursing's research agenda."

Her appointment is effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021.