Georgia State University has appointed Fayron Epps, Ph.D., RN, FGSA, FAAN, as associate dean for the School of Nursing in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, effective July 1.

A nationally recognized nursing leader, Epps returns to Georgia State after serving as Endowed Chair of the Center for Caregiving at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She previously served on Georgia State’s nursing faculty from 2016 to 2019.

Epps is known for her work addressing some of the nation’s most pressing healthcare challenges, including dementia care, caregiving support and health equity. Her appointment comes at a critical time as the college continues to address Georgia’s critical nursing workforce shortage through a commitment to student access and forward-looking research.

“Georgia State University is where vision meets community, and I am deeply honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time for nursing education,” Epps said. “I come with a heart full of purpose and a commitment to advancing health outcomes, preparing the next generation of nurse leaders, and building bridges between academic nursing and the communities that need us most. I am grateful, I am energized and I’m coming home to Atlanta ready to serve.”

As associate dean, Epps will lead a broad range of initiatives across academic programs, research and community engagement, including a new mobile health clinic that will expand hands-on experience for faculty and students while increasing access to healthcare. She will strengthen existing pathways for student success while expanding partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations. Together, these efforts create new clinical learning opportunities and extend the college’s reach across Georgia and beyond.

Epps will guide the nursing programs, support faculty development and strengthen research efforts to advance novel approaches to teaching and practice. She will build on the college’s strong record of student success and accreditation, including industry-leading licensure examination pass rates. Epps will also focus on ensuring that the college remains responsive to new technological advances and emerging healthcare challenges.

With more than two decades of experience as a scholar, author, educator and leader, Epps has most recently served as a tenured professor and Endowed Chair for Caregiving at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center. Her work centers on improving the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers through culturally informed, community-driven approaches, supported by external funding and national collaborations.

That commitment to practical impact is reflected in initiatives such as Alter Dementia, a nurse-led program that partners with faith communities to support individuals living with dementia and their families. Founded in Atlanta, and recently featured in the New York Times, the program has grown into a widely recognized model, offering education and convening an annual dementia care summit that draws participants from across the country.

Epps has earned national recognition for her contributions to nursing and caregiving. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the profession’s highest honors, and a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, recognizing her sustained leadership and expertise in aging-related care. She also received the Family Caregiver Alliance’s Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Legacy Award for advancing scalable, community-centered models of care.

Her commitment to mentorship, workforce development and community engagement has defined her career. She has led interdisciplinary collaborations, contributed to national advisory groups focused on aging and dementia care, and developed programs that connect academic inquiry directly with care and support in communities.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Epps back home to the Lewis College as leader of the nursing programs at an exciting time of growth for our college,” said Dean Huanbiao Mo. “Her scholarly accomplishments and leadership skills position her well to take our nursing programs to new heights in student success, accreditation, increasing enrollment, clinical and local partnerships and research excellence as we work to meet the healthcare workforce needs. I also want to thank Dr. Nancy Kropf for her leadership as the Interim Associate Dean. During her time in the role, the School had achievements in faculty recruitment, enrollment growth, research collaboration and a successful search that brings us a leader ready to carry this momentum forward.”