New nursing dean brings strong research background

A University of Louisville nursing administrator and professor has been named the new dean of Grand Valley State University's Kirkhof College of Nursing.

Cynthia A. McCurren will begin her new duties in November. She will replace Phyllis Gendler, who has served as dean since 2001.

McCurren joined the University of Louisville School of Nursing in 1983 and has since held varying administrative and faculty roles, including as director of nursing research at the University of Louisville Hospital. She is the current interim dean of the School of Nursing. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Missouri and a doctorate from the University of Kentucky.

The School of Nursing in Louisville has 870 undergraduate and 120 graduate students. A doctoral nursing program began in 2005.

McCurren said she is excited to begin her new role and continue "the real passion for quality nursing education" at KCON. "From my brief visit to Grand Rapids, I could sense so much potential and opportunity for growth for the Kirkhof College of Nursing to interface within the West Michigan area," she said.

McCurren has a strong research background in gerontology and has completed numerous studies focusing on depression among elders and confusion among hospitalized elders. She is a member of the National Gerontology Nursing Association and helped develop a geriatric course emphasis for Louisville nursing students.

She said she is also interested in continuing to develop interdisciplinary programs and partnerships at GVSU. McCurren participates in several national workgroups looking at broadening health care education. "All health professionals should be educated to deliver patient-centered care as members of interdisciplinary teams," she said. "One key to fostering interdisciplinary practice is interdisciplinary classroom and clinical education."

Grand Valley Provost Gayle R. Davis said McCurren's interdisciplinary approach and leadership style are good fits for KCON and the university.

"She brings many years of administrative experience, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaborations, an inclusive and supportive leadership style, and a vision for the college that will ensure its leadership role in nursing education in West Michigan and beyond," Davis said.

Gendler joined Grand Valley's nursing faculty in 1973. She plans to work with nursing faculty members to continue developing the college's gerontology initiatives and give more attention to osteoporosis research.

About the Kirkhof College of Nursing: KCON is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and recognized for outstanding teaching, scholarship, service, and research. It is located in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in Grand Rapids. Fall 2006 enrollment was 490 undergraduate and 50 graduate students.

KCON offers bachelor's and master's nursing programs, including programs for second-degree students and degree completion programs for working registered nurses. The college also operates the GVSU Family Health Center, on Sheldon Street in downtown Grand Rapids.