Dr. Debra Lynch Kelly has been named the dean of the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), effective Oct. 1.
Lynch Kelly has served as the interim dean of LCON since July 2025 and previously as the senior associate dean for Academic Affairs within the college.
“Dr. Lynch Kelly is the right person at the right time to build on LCON’s positive momentum,” said Provost David Russomanno. “Under her leadership, LCON will continue to advance actions that meet healthcare workforce needs and strengthen the college’s research mission, while remaining committed to a successful outcome for every nursing student.”
Prior to her current role, Lynch Kelly served as the associate dean for Academic Affairs in Undergraduate Education at the University of Florida College of Nursing.
Under her leadership, she managed 500 students across multiple tracks at the Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses and the program achieved a 97.7% NCLEX pass rate, solidifying its position as the top nursing program in Florida.
Lynch Kelly holds a doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University and is recognized as a fellow of the Academy of Nursing. As a certified nurse educator (CNE), she has extensive experience in both online and face-to-face teaching for undergraduate and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs. Her contributions to academic leadership include chairing numerous DNP and PhD projects, spearheading curriculum innovations and advancing accreditation standards at the CCNE and SACS levels.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Lynch Kelly is a respected researcher whose work focuses on biobehavioral mechanisms related to cancer-related symptoms. She has secured more than $8 million in external funding, including grants from the National Institutes of Health, and published 57 peer-reviewed articles in leading multidisciplinary journals. Under her leadership as interim dean, the Loewenberg College of Nursing received a $530,000 philanthropic investment to strengthen student success programs, reduce barriers to completion and prepare the next generation of nurses for the Mid-South workforce.
“Serving as dean of the Loewenberg College of Nursing is an honor and a privilege,” said Lynch Kelly. “I embrace this opportunity with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose. I am inspired by the dedication, compassion and excellence of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, philanthropic partners and community partners. Together, we have an opportunity to build on LCON’s strong legacy while imagining what is possible for the future of nursing. I look forward to listening, learning and leading alongside this remarkable community as we prepare the next generation of nurses to transform lives and improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
