SMU Welcomes Dr. Steven Rush as New Dean of College of Nursing

Pioneering Progress: Dr.Rush Appointed as SMU's Historic First Male Dean of Nursing 

After an extensive, nationwide search, SMU is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Steven Rush as the new Dean for the College of Nursing.

Dean Rush's leadership is expected to usher in a new era of innovation, expertise, and dedication to nursing education and SMU’s institutional mission. Marking an important milestone for SMU, Dean Rush is the first and only male dean of nursing in the school’s 115 year history.

Rush has a distinguished history with SMU, having served as the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Faculty Recruitment and Development in 2005. Returning to SMU in 2016 as a Professor and Director of Projects in the DNP program, he brings with him a wealth of institutional knowledge and a profound commitment to the university. Beyond the SMU campus, Dean Rush has held significant nursing teaching and leadership roles, including Director of Undergraduate Programs at UW-Madison, Chair of Education and Licensure for the State of Wisconsin, Dean of Healthcare at Herzing University, Vice President for Workforce and Clinical Practice at the Wisconsin Hospital Association, and Associate and Full Professor of pre-licensure programs at Edgewood College.

Rush earned a diploma in Nursing (RN) from Augustana Hospital School of Nursing, a BS in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University, a dual MS in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and his Ph.D. in Nursing from UCSF. As a scholar-teacher, he has consistently contributed to workforce development and health equity topics throughout his illustrious career.

As a champion of health equity, Rush aims to facilitate the growth of culturally competent practitioners who will transform the delivery of healthcare at the points of access, treatment, and outcomes.

Meet-and-greet sessions will be organized at each of SMU’s campuses during the spring semester.