Victoria Vaughan Dickson Named as Next Dean of the UConn School of Nursing

Dickson currently is the John W. Rowe Professor in Successful Aging at New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she is also the Assistant Dean for Research Innovation and Director of the Pless Center for Nursing Research.

She starts her new role as UConn’s School of Nursing dean on Aug. 1.

Anne D’Alleva, UConn’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, announced Dickson’s appointment in a letter Friday to the school’s faculty, staff, and students, noting she was the top choice from an “exceptionally talented pool of applicants.”

“Dr. Dickson has demonstrated a deep understanding of our School of Nursing’s needs and will bring the necessary leadership and vision to continue the school’s extraordinary achievements across teaching, research, and engagement,” D’Alleva says.

“She is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for the school and will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations across the University,” D’Alleva adds.

Dickson’s research focuses on investigating bio-behavioral influences on self-care in patients with cardiovascular disease risk, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and multiple comorbidities.

Her work has led to an improved understanding of the sociocultural influences of self-care among community dwelling individuals and families, and the development of innovative theory-based interventions.

Dickson is recognized as an international expert in qualitative research techniques, mixed methods research, and has conducted training for interdisciplinary teams locally, nationally, and internationally. She is also dedicated to building research capacity across disciplines and advancing nursing science that impacts policy and clinical care.

“I am truly honored to join the UConn community,” Dickson says. “I am impressed with the dedication of the faculty, students, alumni, and staff at the UConn School of Nursing, and their commitment to cultivating the next generation of nurse clinicians, leaders, and scholars. I look forward to working together to build on the strong foundation in place and enhance strategic partnerships to support the continued growth of the school and address priority challenges.”

Dickson will succeed Deborah Chyun, who plans to return to the faculty after five years as the school’s dean.

“I could not be more delighted that Victoria will be the school’s next dean. Given her clinical, academic, and leadership experience, I am confident that she is exactly the right leader for the school,” Chyun says.

“Thanks to her national presence, she will increase our national visibility,” Chyun adds. “I know that she will also work closely with our clinical partners during this challenging time for nursing care delivery in the state.”

Dickson is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, American Heart Association, Heart Failure Society of America, and the New York Academy of Medicine. She is also the editor of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.

Dickson earned her BSN from Temple University and her MSN and PhD from University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She has extensive clinical experience, and currently holds clinical appointments at NYU Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital as an advanced practice nurse.

She also has deep roots in conducting and supporting research, including being principal investigator in several grant-funded programs and co-investigator on numerous team science initiatives focused on cardiovascular disease and multiple chronic conditions.

Dickson has received numerous awards for her research and leadership, including the STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, HFSA Nursing Research Leadership award, and ENRS Leadership Award.

Dickson comes to the UConn School of Nursing as its applications from potential students continue to grow – almost 2,900 this year, in fact, an increase of more than 300 over the past year – and its clinical faculty garnered more than $4 million in external research funding in FY22.

Its online nursing master’s program also was named as No. 18 nationwide in the 2023 U.S. News and World Report annual rankings.