Dean Boykin is the longest sitting dean of nursing in the country. Her retirement parallels the 30th anniversary of the College.

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“Thirty years ago, we admitted our first 10 students thanks to the generosity and wisdom of four private donors who were strong advocates for baccalaureate level nursing education,” said Dean Boykin. “Today the College has 1,300 baccalaureate, masters and doctoral students and five Centers and Institutes dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those seeking health care.”

 

In her role as dean, Smith will focus on expanding research and faculty practice opportunities, recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff and students from diverse backgrounds, and engaging with FAU colleagues and other communities to advance health professions education and improve health and care.

 

“Marlaine’s experience in nursing practice, education and research, and most recently as associate dean for academic programs at FAU, will bring great value to the dean position,” said FAU Interim Provost Diane Alperin. “She is passionate about holistic and humanistic approaches to health and healthcare, which are consistent with our College of Nursing’s philosophy.”

Smith joined FAU in 2006 as associate dean for academic programs and the Helen K. Persson Eminent Scholar. She brings nearly 40 years of practice, academic and administrative experience to her new role. Smith’s contributions to the discipline of nursing can be clustered in two areas: developing knowledge related to processes and outcomes of healing, and analyzing, extending and applying caring-based nursing theories. For 20 years, she has been conducting research related to the efficacy of touch therapies for relieving suffering and improving quality of life for persons in the advanced stages of chronic life-limiting illnesses. Smith has published in a variety of journals and books, and is the co-editor with Marilyn Parker of the third edition of the popular book Nursing Theories & Nursing Practice published in 2010. Honors include election as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

 

“I am honored to be selected as Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing,” said Smith. “I came here five years ago because I wanted to be a part of what Dean Boykin had created with the faculty and staff through the generosity of Christine E. Lynn and others in the community. It is an awesome responsibility. I’m taking it on with enthusiasm and humility, knowing that I’m standing on the shoulders of giants!”

 

Smith received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Duquesne University, two master’s degrees in public health and nursing education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. in nursing from New York University. Since 1976, she has held faculty and academic administrative positions at Duquesne University, Penn State University, LaRoche College, University of Colorado and FAU.