The University of Washington Bothell has named Dr. Vanessa Lopez-Littleton as its new dean of the School of Nursing & Health Studies, effective Nov. 1, 2024.
Lopez-Littleton has nearly three decades of leadership and management experience in higher education, public service and health care. She has held several executive positions at California State University, Monterey Bay, most recently as interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.
“Dr. Lopez-Littleton brings a wealth of experience and expertise and a profound commitment to transform lives through health equity and well-being,” said Dr. Sharon A. Jones, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “She is also a dedicated health care professional and successful fundraiser who prioritizes student success.”
Lopez-Littleton is an award-winning scholar who researches the structural causes of health inequities, with a focus on naming, measuring and addressing the impacts of social, economic and political influences on health and well-being. In 2021 she designed a community-engaged study on the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among vulnerable populations in Monterey County and then developed an outreach campaign to increase the uptake of the vaccine.
She actively participates in creating innovative graduate and undergraduate programs, works with diverse teams to develop inclusive classroom and academic practices, and partners with public entities to improve organizational and management performance. She is the founding director of the Helen Rucker Center for Black Excellence at CSUMB, where, for one, students and faculty from diverse backgrounds conduct collaborative research around health inequities.
Lopez-Littleton is deeply committed to creating inclusive and caring environments, promoting student success, and honoring shared governance. She is known for innovating access and opportunities for the next generation of health care professionals and designing community-engaged research projects to address real-world problems.
“Dr. Lopez-Littleton is superbly qualified to lead our talented faculty and staff as we provide more options to meet the many health care needs in our region,” Jones said. “Under her leadership I look forward to strengthening our tri-campus partnership as one of the top nursing schools in the country.
“I would like to thank Dr. Linda Watts, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, and Dr. Mabel Ezeonwu, professor in the SNHS, for serving as interim deans over the past two years. During that time, we developed and are now implementing a five-year plan that will allow the SNHS to continue to innovate and lead.”
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Lopez-Littleton received her doctorate from the University of Central Florida, her Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University. She was honorably discharged from the United States Army and received the Montgomery GI Bill.
“I am honored to serve alongside an exceptional team of scholars, professionals and community members, all deeply committed to advancing social justice through our students,” said Lopez-Littleton.
