Carolyn K. Clevenger has been appointed as the founding dean of the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Nursing, with her term beginning on January 1, 2026. Clevenger is currently a professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and is known for her work in advanced practice nursing, geriatrics, and gerontology. She also founded and directs Integrated Memory Care at Emory Healthcare.
Clevenger has over twenty years of experience in health care education, research, and leadership. During her time at Emory, she held several academic leadership roles since joining the faculty in 2003, including assistant and associate dean positions. She was responsible for preparing future nurses and advanced practice nurses through curriculum development and teaching across multiple programs.
Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at UGA, said: “Throughout her impressive career, Dr. Clevenger has demonstrated a deep commitment to the next generation of nurses while contributing knowledge that improves patient outcomes and advances health care. Her experience in teaching, research and service makes Dr. Clevenger an outstanding choice to not only launch UGA’s School of Nursing but also to grow it to incredible heights. I look forward to working with her to create a world-class nursing school that positively impacts communities across our state.”
Clevenger stated: “Georgia needs more nurses, and UGA is uniquely positioned to prepare them — building a school of nursing that will educate compassionate leaders ready to serve every community in our state. I’m honored to launch this program and prepare nurses who will partner with health care teams to strengthen all 159 counties across the state.”
At Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing—ranked No. 2 nationally for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program by U.S. News & World Report—the master’s program holds the top national ranking while its Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranks eighth.
Clevenger’s research focuses on dementia care models, caregiver support programs for families dealing with dementia, and workforce development in geriatric health care. She has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on 14 externally funded projects totaling more than $21 million from federal agencies, foundations, and philanthropic sources.
She has published 53 peer-reviewed papers covering topics such as dementia care models, caregiver intervention development, and strategies for expanding the healthcare workforce—areas relevant to Georgia’s needs.
As associate dean for clinical and community partnerships at Emory, she managed clinical placements for over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually by establishing new operational units dedicated to securing these opportunities while maintaining relationships with practice partners.
Her professional service includes membership on boards such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Certification exam), Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition; she is also a past president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association.
Clevenger’s honors include recent awards from organizations such as the American Academy of Nursing (Edge Runner award), National League for Nursing (Isabel Hampton Robb Award), Emory University Nurses’ Alumni Association Award of Honor (2022), National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties’ Outstanding Faculty Practice Award (2020), among others.
She earned degrees from West Virginia University (BSN), Emory University (MSN in gerontology nursing), Medical College of Georgia (Doctorate in Nursing Practice), along with postdoctoral training at Veterans Health Administration.
Jere W. Morehead, President at UGA said: “The creation of the University of Georgia’s School of Nursing will further expand our institution’s positive impact as we seek to address critical health care needs throughout the state,” adding: “Dean Carolyn Clevenger is the ideal candidate to lead this important initiative, and I am confident that her expertise as an administrator, educator and scholar will be invaluable as we work diligently to increase the number of trained nurses in Georgia.”
The independent School of Nursing was authorized by The University System of Georgia Board of Regents earlier this year; UGA plans to enroll its first class by fall 2027.
According to analysis by consulting firm Tripp Umbach , Georgia currently has about 8.47 registered nurses per 1,000 residents—below the national average—and faces a projected shortage amounting to a 21% gap by 2035 if trends continue unaddressed.
The establishment aims both to help address statewide nurse shortages while enhancing UGA’s contribution toward improving regional public health outcomes.
