Gonzaga Hires Vincent Salyers as Dean of School of Nursing and Human Physiology

SPOKANE, Wash. — Following a national search, Gonzaga University is pleased to announce Vincent L. Salyers, Ed.D., and registered nurse, as the new dean of the School of Nursing and Human Physiology. Salyers succeeds Lin Murphy, Ph.D., who served as interim dean during the 2018-19 academic year. He will begin his term July 1.

Salyers is founding dean and professor of nursing at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. He also served as interim associate vice president for research at Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, and in numerous other senior administrative and teaching positions throughout Western Canada and California over the past 26 years. Salyers also brings extensive experience with program compliance, regulatory body approval and accreditation processes. He holds licensure as a registered nurse in the United States and Canada.

 “Dr. Salyers has had experience in Jesuit higher education, earning his doctoral degree at University of San Francisco, and also brings familiarity with public institutions where he studied and taught,” said incoming Gonzaga Provost and Senior Vice President Deena González. “He brings demonstrated commitments to student learning, to faculty engagement, and to nursing and health professionals throughout the Spokane area. His interests convey deep commitments to service and professional training.”

Salyers holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in science in nursing, both from San Francisco State University; and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from USF. He has led the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of academic programs, strategic planning, budget planning and implementation, as well as the growth and sustainability of research, international initiatives and e-learning strategies to enhance faculty teaching, scholarship and student learning.

“My vision for the School of Nursing and Human Physiology is to be recognized as a global leader known for innovative, first-class programs; integration of cutting-edge simulation and technology into its programming; graduates who exhibit clinical excellence in the communities where they live and work; and research and scholarship that impacts the health of its communities and beyond,” says Salyers. “I want us to be known for our transformative teaching and learning spaces. I incorporate the principles of collaboration, trust, empathy, ethical use of power and shared decision-making into all I do as a leader.”

Salyers’ research and scholarship contribute directly to understanding the intersections between technology, curriculum design, clinical practice and inter-professional education. He is passionate about engaging students in meaningful educational experiences where they learn to understand health from a global perspective, develop their practice to meet global challenges, and engage as global citizens. He has led and co-developed educational programs, global partnerships/initiatives and innovations that focus on improving health outcomes and reducing global health inequities in more than 10 countries. 

The School of Nursing and Human Physiology offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and focuses on servant leadership, social justice, community and reflective practice in nursing, human physiology and nurse anesthesia practice.

For more information, please contact Mary Joan Hahn, community and public relations, at (509) 313-6095 or hahn@gonzaga.edu.