Allyson Matney Neal has been selected as the assistant dean of graduate programs effective July 1. Neal joined the College of Nursing in May 2019.
Neal previously served as a clinical assistant professor and coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (PMHNP) at the University of Tennessee, College of Nursing.
“I am very excited to serve the College of Nursing in this capacity,” said Neal. “The College of Nursing has a rich history of optimizing health for the communities we serve. This has never been more evident than during the pandemic when nurses stepped up to become an integral part of the solution. I look forward to being a part of continuing to fulfill our vision of leading care, creating partnerships, and improving health through education, practice, research, and technology.”
The assistant dean of graduate programs is the college’s chief officer for graduate program matters. This position provides leadership to graduate students, faculty, and staff. This position monitors and ensures consistent implementation of all college, graduate school, and university policies related to graduate programs. This position works to coordinate the admissions process and ensure all accreditation standards are being met.
“As we continue to grow our graduate programs, the depth and breadth of Dr. Neal’s experiences as an advanced practice nurse, nurse educator, and nurse leader will provide the college with solid leadership to thrive,” says Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the college. “Additionally, Dr. Neal is involved in key national organizations that provide her with first-hand knowledge of cutting-edge trends in advanced nursing education”.
Neal’s scholarly activities are in the area of neuroplasticity as it relates to resiliency with an emphasis on wellness skills taught in unconventional settings.
Neal is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, American Nurses Association, and Tennessee Nurses Association. Additionally, she holds national appointments as a member of the APRN Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE) Network and the National Task Force for the review and revision of the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Neal earned her DNP as a PMHNP from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, MSN as a PNP from Emory University, BSN from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and an ADN from East Tennessee State University.
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark (865-9749498, kmclark2@utk.edu)