February 7, 2023
Following a national search, Oakland University has named Christopher Coleman, Ph.D., as dean of the School of Nursing. Pending approval by the OU Board of Trustees in April, his tenure will begin in late spring.
Dr. Christopher Coleman |
Dr. Coleman brings both broad and distinctive experience in teaching, research and service. In addition, much of his work aligns with each of the four strategic goals established for Oakland University. Currently serving as the Mark & Maureen Miller Head and Professor at the Purdue University, West Lafayette, School of Nursing, he was previously Associate Dean and Professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing, Fort Wayne. He has also held faculty positions at the University of California, Los Angeles; Rutgers University; Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Coleman’s accomplishments include developing a study abroad program in Botswana for nursing students working to help address the HIV crisis. His extensive research has focused on health disparities tied to various sexual risk behaviors, as well as on symptom management strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Throughout a prolific and internationally recognized career, he has published 50 journal articles, 32 abstracts and two books. The research establishing the foundation for this work has been supported by nearly $8 million in grants from numerous organizations, including the National Institutes of Health.
In the areas of service and community engagement, Dr. Coleman founded and presently chairs Purdue University’s three-campus LGBTQ Taskforce, which assesses the intersection of DEI and LGBTQ matters, and works to address it throughout the curriculum, recruitment initiatives, and within the Office of Nursing Portfolio. He also serves on the Big Ten Schools Diversity Initiative, which investigates how DEI is incorporated in nursing schools in the Midwest.
Dr. Coleman holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. In addition he completed a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University; a Master's in Family & Child Psychiatric Nursing from Oregon Health & Science University; and a Bachelor's in Nursing from Walla Walla University.