Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Welcomes New Nursing Dean

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) officials today (Jan. 18) welcomed Michael L. Evans, Ph.D., R.N., as the university’s new School of Nursing dean. Evans also serves as the UMC Health System Endowed Chair for Excellence in Nursing.

“The appointment of Dr. Evans as the new School of Nursing dean is very important to the future of nursing education at TTUHSC,” said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., TTUHSC president. “Dr. Evans has a proven track record of leadership both in higher education and in the private sector, and the people of Texas are sure to benefit from his efforts here.”

Evans, a Texas Tech University alumnus, has served as professor, Maxine Clark and Bob Fox Dean and CEO of the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College (BJC) in St. Louis since 2006. The Goldfarb School is a 650-student nursing college on the Washington University Medical Center Campus. The school is a part of BJC HealthCare System.

Under Evans’ direction, the Goldfarb School of Nursing has experienced growth in research, an increase in the number and quality of graduates and two successful re-accreditations. He was instrumental in transitioning two historic nursing schools — the former Jewish College of Nursing and Barnes College of Nursing — into what is today an institution that offers innovative bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.

Evans said his vision for the TTUHSC School of Nursing is to build on the school’s good name and increase student and faculty diversity.

“Everybody knows us — we have a great reputation.” Evans said. “We can build on that nucleus by continuing to improve our programs and recruiting top-notch faculty.”

Before Evans came to the Goldfarb School of Nursing, he was vice president for learning and chief learning officer for Texas Health Resources, a 13-hospital health care system with 18,000 employees, where he oversaw educational activities and created a corporate university model for health care education.

Evans also has served as chief nursing officer at several Texas hospitals, including Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and St. David’s Medical Center in Austin. He has also served as an adjunct professor in several Texas nursing schools including the University of Texas System.

Evans earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, and his nursing diploma from Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing in Amarillo. He then began his nursing career as a critical care and emergency staff nurse.

Evans received a bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University School of Nursing in Canyon. He earned a master’s from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in Houston. He received his Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin.

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