Oakland University’s new dean of the School of Nursing, Christopher Lance Coleman Ph.D., MS, MPH, FAAN, PMHCNS-BC, brings broad and distinctive experience in teaching, research and service. In addition, much of his work aligns with each of the four strategic goals we have established for Oakland University.
Dr. Coleman previously served as the Mark & Maureen Miller Head and Professor at the Purdue University, West Lafayette, School of Nursing. Coleman was also the 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.
Coleman’s accomplishments include developing a study abroad program in Botswana for nursing students working to address the HIV crisis. His extensive research has focused on health disparities tied to various behavioral clinical trials for sexual risk behaviors, as well as on symptom management strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS both domestic and international.
Throughout a prolific and internationally recognized career, he co-directed a health equity research center, trained post-doctoral fellows, 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, Coleman served on non-profit and was appointed to the Board of a major health system. Additionally, he founded Indiana University’s three-campus LGBTQ Taskforce, which assesses DEI and LGBTQ matters and works to address them throughout the curriculum, recruitment initiatives, and within the Office of Nursing research portfolio. He also served on the Big Ten Schools Diversity Initiative, which investigates how DEI is incorporated in nursing schools in the Midwest.
The SON’s new dean is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. In addition, he completed a Master's of 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.
Coleman is enjoying being a part of the OU community and is “…thrilled to serve as Dean of the School of Nursing which is home to outstanding students, faculty and staff.”
August 10, 2023
