Duncan is the fourth dean in the college’s 45-year history and will take the helm on Jan. 27. Prior to joining FAU, he served as the interim dean of the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he previously served as the director of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program since 2017. In his new role at FAU, Duncan will work closely with faculty, staff, and local community partners to further enhance the college’s clinical, educational, and research initiatives. His extensive background in academic achievement, clinical practice, and scholarship, complement the college’s strengths in research and caring science.
With its three tracks of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is instrumental in addressing the critical shortage of nurses. More than 400 BSN students graduate each year and enter the workforce. The college also offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a Ph.D. in nursing. In addition, the college has developed important certificate programs to train nurses and other health care professionals locally and nationally. Today, the college enrolls nearly 1,000 students in four nursing degree programs on its Boca Raton, Davie, and Harbor Branch campuses. The college also has more than 9,000 alumni and approximately 85% reside in Florida, providing vital health care services in the region.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Duncan as the new dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick. “His exceptional leadership, deep understanding of the dynamic health care landscape, and unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence make him an outstanding addition to the Florida Atlantic family. His vision and expertise will further elevate the college’s mission.”
During his tenure as interim dean of the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Duncan led transformative initiatives that redefined the school’s mission and solidified its reputation as a leader in nursing education and health care services. His visionary leadership drove efforts to strengthen academic programs, elevate teaching and research excellence through targeted mentorship and professional development, and foster a dynamic environment where faculty, staff, and students could excel. He also strategically advanced the school’s engagement with community partners by establishing an Academic-Practice Partnership, developing joint appointments, and spearheading collaborative research initiatives that bridged academia and practice.
During his deanship at the University of Nevada, Duncan was responsible for the academic progress of more than 500 graduate and undergraduate students, stewardship of a $9.8 million budget, and development of the school’s new strategic plan to better align with the university’s mission and goals related to the institution’s “R1 High Research Activity University” ranking by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Beyond his administrative achievements, Duncan brings a distinguished record of teaching excellence at both public and private institutions across Nevada, Arizona, and California. He has been a pioneer in implementing innovative policies and programs that enhance the quality of education, including the redevelopment of Nevada’s largest Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. His work modernized the curriculum, introduced year-round admissions, and provided flexible learning pathways to support the success of working students.
Duncan’s distinguished research record, with a focus on advancing nursing knowledge through translational research, bridges evidence-based findings with real-world applications. His research interests are particularly focused on the integration of mental health into primary care settings, advancing health care policy, advocating for the nursing profession, and addressing substance use disorders. His most recent research investigated transcranial magnetic stimulation as a potential treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder, a significant public health concern in Nevada. Additionally, Duncan has an extensive publication record, with numerous manuscripts featured in peer-reviewed journals, many of which he co-authored with his students, reflecting his dedication to collaborative learning and mentorship.
In 2016, he opened the Duncan Family Healthcare facility in Reno, which was the first Advanced Practice Registered Nurse clinic in northern Nevada. The facility focuses on mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, substance use disorders, and personality disorders.
Born and raised in Reno, Duncan was the first in his family to complete a college degree. He earned his BSN at the University of Nevada in 2010. He then earned his first MSN, specializing in organizational leadership in health care organizations in 2012 at Grand Canyon University. In 2014, he completed his second MSN to become a family nurse practitioner and earned his DNP degree, both at the University of Arizona. He later specialized in mental health, completing a post-master’s certificate in 2015, becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, also at the University of Arizona. Duncan was awarded a Ph.D. in 2022 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also is dually board certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner and is a certified nurse educator.
Duncan previously served as an Advancing Academic Excellence for Deans Fellow with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Among his many accolades and accomplishments was his induction as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) in 2023.
“I am both honored and thrilled to lead the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and to contribute to its continued growth as a nationally recognized leader in nursing education and caring science,” said Duncan. “My passion for advancing nursing education, clinical practice, and research, combined with my experience in academic leadership, has prepared me to guide the college toward even greater achievements. I look forward to working with the talented faculty, staff, and students at Florida Atlantic to continue to elevate the college’s visibility and impact regionally and nationally, and to ensure that its mission of shaping the future of nursing is realized.”
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About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
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