Storbeck Search | Diversified Search Group partnered with Mercy College to conduct a nationwide search that resulted in the appointment of Kenya Beard as the inaugural Dean of the School of Nursing.
Dr. Beard is a proven leader and educator who has amplified the importance of creating learning environments that value diverse perspectives. Prior to her appointment at Mercy, Dr. Beard served as associate provost at Chamberlain University. Her vision of strengthening the preparedness of faculty to meet the needs of today’s nursing students resulted in the creation of the first Nurse Faculty Residency program in the country. The Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in the Health Professions supports her workshop, “Leading in a Race-Conscious Society” and as a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar, she founded the Center for Multicultural Education and Health Disparities. Her publications and research have focused on best practices to move the needle on diversity, inclusion and health equity. Dr. Beard led the New York State Action Coalition in constructing the New York State Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing Tool Kit in 2014, contributed to the National League for Nursing’s 2016 Diversity Vision Statement, and served as a reviewer for the National Academy of Medicine’s Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report.