Linda A. McCauley will step down as dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University on December 31, 2025, after serving in the role for 16 years. She will remain on the faculty and continue her research and work with national health care initiatives.
Emory President Gregory L. Fenves commented on McCauley’s impact: “To put it simply, Linda McCauley transformed the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing into the finest nursing school in the country. As dean, she has empowered nursing faculty to develop as innovators and prepared students to enter their profession fully ready to serve patients and communities. Her contributions to the field of nursing are unparalleled, and she will be known for elevating the school to extraordinary heights.”
McCauley became dean and professor at Emory’s School of Nursing in May 2009. During her tenure, enrollment grew from 475 to over 1,400 students, with graduates consistently performing above state and national averages on licensure exams. The school rose to No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report rankings for both graduate and undergraduate nursing education.
She led efforts to expand academic offerings with programs such as Doctor of Nursing Practice (2014), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (2017), InEmory (2019), Master of Nursing (2020), Psychiatric Mental Health DNP (2021), Cardiovascular Perfusion Science (2022), and a PhD in Nursing Data Science and Analytics (2024).
Lanny Liebeskind, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University said: “Linda McCauley’s visionary leadership has propelled Emory’s nursing school to prominence on the national and global stage,” adding that her commitment has shaped both education quality and research outcomes.
Joon Lee, executive vice president for health affairs at Emory University stated: “Dean Linda McCauley has been a transformative leader whose visionary stewardship has elevated Emory’s tripartite mission — advancing academic excellence, pioneering innovative research and deepening our commitment to service… Her legacy is woven into the fabric of our institution and felt across the globe through the work of our nursing alumni who care for millions of patients.”
A national search for a new dean will begin later this year under Lee’s and Liebeskind’s direction; details about interim leadership starting January 1, 2026 are expected this fall.
Research activity increased significantly during McCauley’s leadership. The number of faculty conducting clinical or scientific research expanded by more than 100 members; areas studied include aging, brain health, oncology, women’s health, cardiovascular care, data science, pain management, climate-related health issues among others. The school’s National Institutes of Health funding ranking improved from No. 38 with less than $2 million awarded in 2010 to third place nationally with over $18 million according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research FY24 data.
McCauley also promoted philanthropy resulting in new centers including those focused on data science integration in healthcare practice; she secured substantial scholarship funds for students as well.
The opening of the Emory Nursing Learning Center in 2022 provided advanced simulation space totaling more than 80,000 square feet—delivering over 6,700 simulation hours annually—and contributed significantly to student training methods.
Her tenure saw closer collaboration between Emory Nursing and Emory Healthcare aimed at enhancing professionalism among nurses while supporting ongoing learning opportunities; these efforts earned recognition from organizations such as American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Internationally focused programs were expanded too—including support for immersive service-learning via Lillian Carter Center projects across rural Georgia communities as well as globally—and launching Ethiopia’s first PhD program in partnership with Addis Ababa University.
McCauley’s academic background includes degrees from University of North Carolina (BSN), Emory University (MSN) earned in 1979, and a doctorate from University of Cincinnati completed in environmental health/epidemiology by 1988. Her funded research since mid-1980s totals over $58 million; she is author or co-author on more than two hundred peer-reviewed publications addressing environmental exposures impacting vulnerable groups like children/farmworkers—her work featured by major media outlets including The New York Times.
Her career includes chairing several National Academy reports influencing clinical policy nationwide along with recognition through election into organizations such as National Academy of Medicine/American Academy of Nursing plus awards like Ada Sue Hinshaw Nurse Scholar Award/Sigma Theta Tau International Hall Fame induction among others.
“Leading the School of Nursing alongside its extraordinary faculty, scientists, staff and students has truly been the journey of a lifetime,” said McCauley.“I am deeply proud to have served as the school’s sixth dean… I look forward to watching its reputation and impact continue to grow.”
