Meet our Associate Deans
In this new series, the UF College of Nursing highlights the role of associate/assistant deans.
The roles and responsibilities of an associate/assistant dean can vary within the College of Nursing but essentially cover undergraduate education, graduate education, research, clinical affairs and student affairs. Typically, an associate/assistant dean will oversee just one of those areas and work collaboratively to ensure that the college is successful in achieving its mission. The title of associate/assistant dean may seem intimidating, but it is important to remember that while they are leaders within the college, they are also normal everyday people working toward bettering nursing education, research and clinical service. Because of that, we want to highlight our seven associate and assistant deans over the next few issues, so that you can get to know them on a more personal level and understand their critical duties.
Versie Johnson-Mallard, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
What are some of your responsibilities as associate dean?
I am responsible for the oversight and administration of all the graduate and undergraduate programs and activities that support student recruitment, retention and graduation in our college.
Do you have any particular goals you hope to achieve as associate dean?
I have several goals, some include working with advisors around developing and implementing innovation in student engagement in the profession of nursing starting as early as middle school. Helping the public understand the profession of nursing is another goal of mine. With nursing being in the public eye as we continue to serve on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has helped with the forward movement of this goal. Our charge is to maintain the momentum.
What do you enjoy most about your role as associate dean?
I enjoy admissions and graduation. For admissions, I enjoy seeing the fresh faces and passion of students for our curriculum and not knowing exactly what to expect next. With graduation, I love seeing the confidence and self-pride of our students moving to become Gator Nurses and not knowing exactly what to expect next.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by new challenges and opportunities for professional and personal growth for myself and others.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy reading fiction novels, mystery novels such as “The Girl on the Train.” Leadership and memoir books are high on the list as well.
Rene Love, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs — Graduate Clinical Education
What are some of your responsibilities as an associate dean?
My responsibilities include establishing an environment for our Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, faculty and students that supports the academic degree and ultimately leads to improving patient outcomes through our graduates. To that end, I work with DNP faculty to review curriculum and clinical sites, ensuring that the College of Nursing’s program is consistent with national and state standards. I work with students to help them move along their academic journey successfully.
Do you have any particular goals you hope to achieve as associate dean?
I had goals that extended to five years after arriving in February of this year. Well, now that’s all changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My goals include the following: 1) moving our program up in the rankings to No. 1 in the nation, 2) guiding students toward establishing and achieving their practice and scholarship goals and 3) supporting DNP faculty with their scholarship as they move toward becoming leaders in Florida and the nation.
Who in the nursing world influences you?
I have been very fortunate to have been mentored by some incredible nurse leaders and clinicians. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Donna McArthur and Hildegard Peplau as influencing me in my career. Dr. McArthur emulates the idea of “paying it forward” in her dedication to mentoring and teaching. I first met Dr. McArthur when I entered my DNP program at Vanderbilt. She was the DNP director of the program and not only supported my DNP degree, she connected me to a PhD program where I was able to successfully complete my academic journey. I share the conviction of paying it forward with both faculty and students.
Hildegard Peplau is the “mother of psych-mental health nursing” and is the reason I practiced psych-mental health. Her work in psych-mental health laid the foundation for nurses like myself to enter the specialty. If you have not read her theory on interpersonal relations, you may want to take a moment to review it, as it supports all nursing relationships with both patients and colleagues.
Can you share an interesting fact about yourself?
I have a philosophy of trying things, challenging myself. So, when faced with an opportunity to ride a camel, I did. And while in Australia, I fed a kangaroo and held a koala bear. I tried to touch a snake but I have yet to be successful at that challenge. I have also had the pleasure of having dinner with Margaret Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada’s mother. She was very entertaining and spoke with great insight. I was an active volunteer for the Red Cross and debriefed volunteers in New Jersey and New York who worked during the 9/11 crisis.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
My favorite hobbies are anything outdoors, including hiking and yard work. Since the pandemic, I have started painting landscapes with acrylics by using YouTube videos for beginners.
