On Monday, Feb. 28 the university announced changes to the leadership team in the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing.
Paul Smith, associate dean and associate professor of nursing, will lead the school as interim dean upon the departure of Kim Dupree Jones at the end of the academic year.
Smith has been at Linfield since 2007 and associate dean since 2018. His research focuses on diversity, cultural competence and heath disparities seen in the LGBTQ+ community and how educators can prepare future nurses to provide adequate care for and meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. He currently sits on the university’s strategic planning committee, COVID-19 emergency response team and oversees the mentoring program for new nursing faculty.
Prior to coming to Linfield, Smith worked at Chemeketa Community College as a nursing faculty member and program coordinator as well a RN in Oregon and Georgia. He earned his Master of Nursing at Washington State University and doctorate in nursing education from University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
After serving for four years as dean of the School of Nursing, Dupree Jones has accepted a position at Emory University as a senior associate dean. Her move to Atlanta will permit Jones to be closer to family members.
“Kim’s leadership ushered in dynamic growth and expansion of the Linfield University School of Nursing,” said Susan Agre-Kippenhan, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We will miss her passion and dedication.”
Jones has long ties at Emory having completed her master’s there prior to moving to Oregon Health & Science University for her Ph.D. Her time at Linfield included spearheading new master’s programs in the School of Nursing, the implementation of a 10-week calendar, the first master’s entry prelicensure program in Oregon and significant expansion of our simulation capacities – all while moving to Linfield’s expanded Portland campus.
“I am proud of the stellar faculty and staff who championed the changes we’ve made, including a near-100% graduation rate despite the many clinical site pivots required by COVID-19,” Dupree Jones said. “I am confident in Paul’s leadership and the future of the Portland campus. Linfield will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Smith’s role as interim dean will begin after Dupree Jones departs.