Conyers Named Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at University of Maryland School of Nursing

Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has appointed Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, as associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She is the second individual to hold the position; the inaugural associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion was appointed in 2016 and at that time it was the first such position on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. UMSON’s students, faculty, and staff have become increasingly diverse over the past decade, and fully half of its student population now comprises those from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. 

In this role, Conyers serves as the primary advisor to UMSON’s dean, senior academic leadership team, senior administrative team, and Diversity and Inclusion Council on operational and strategic goals related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.  Additionally, she oversees UMSON’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and partners with colleagues across the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Universities at Shady Grove locations to promote and execute efforts related to diversity and inclusion. Conyers also holds a faculty appointment as an assistant professor, teaching excellence tenure track, in the Department of Family and Community Health.

Conyers joins UMSON from the George Washington School of Nursing in Washington, D.C., where she served as a clinical associate professor. Earlier, Conyers served as an assistant professor of community/population and public health nursing at the St. John Fisher University Wegmans School of Nursing in Rochester, New York, and as a co-director of the accelerated bachelor’s program for non-nurses and an assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, also in New York. 

“I look forward to Dr. Conyers’ future contributions to the School of Nursing,” Kirschling said. “I know that she will build upon the strong foundation of our past work and help lead us forward as we continue our efforts to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect for our students, faculty, staff, and all those who interact with the School of Nursing.” 

Conyers brings a strong commitment to community engagement, having served as the founding president of the Rochester Black Nurses Association, a chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, and as the co-chair of the Common Ground Health African American Health Coalition, seeking to address structural inequities that result in poor health outcomes using an upstream approach, examining and addressing root causes, rather than symptoms, to improve long-term outcomes and decrease health care costs. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Rochester Business Journal Power 100 (2022, 2021); the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association Nurse Educator Award; and the University of Rochester School of Nursing Mary Dombeck Diversity Enhancement Faculty Award. Conyers was recognized nationally with her selection as a 2022 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Diversity Leadership Institute Fellow. 

Conyers earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate from St. John Fisher College; a master’s in nursing education from Roberts Wesleyan College in New York; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester; and an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from Monroe Community College in New York. She began her role at UMSON on June 5.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.