Associate Dean Jennifer D’Auria retires after 33 years of service

Message from the Dean

Associate Dean Jennifer D’Auria

Dear SON Community, 

After more than three decades of service on the faculty of the UNC School of Nursing, Associate Dean Jennifer D’Auria, PhD, RN, CPNP will retire on August 1, 2024. 

Over the course of her extraordinary career, Jennifer’s commitment to nursing excellence and the success of Carolina Nursing’s graduate practice programs and students has been unwavering.  She is recognized by her peers in North Carolina and across the nation for her expertise and dedication to nursing education, with many turning to her for consultation and guidance on accreditation and curriculum development.  

Her journey with the UNC School of Nursing began when Jennifer joined as a visiting professor in 1991. Her leadership of the graduate practice programs began in 2000 when she was the Master of Science (MSN) program director, and since then she has been instrumental in shaping the future of these programs and nursing education. Over the years, she has held various roles, culminating in her position as Associate Dean of the MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) division and programs, a position she has held since 2020.  

Throughout her career, Jennifer has worked tirelessly to elevate and promote the quality and reputation of our graduate practice programs. She has been involved in every detail, steering these programs through growth and transformation. Under her guidance, the SON achieved CCNE accreditations, successfully revised the DNP program, and launched innovative online degree options. Her expertise and vision have been driving forces behind these accomplishments, but it’s her passion for what faculty, staff and students can accomplish together that sets her apart.  

Jennifer’s educational background, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from North Park College and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing in Maternal and Parent-Child Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, reflects her dedication to nursing excellence. Jennifer’s clinical expertise in primary care for children and adolescents, particularly those with chronic conditions, has enhanced our curriculum and impacted countless patient lives over the years. She launched the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care option in 1993 and served as the coordinator until 2015.

Additionally, her early career work on interventions to improve the health of children with Cystic Fibrosis and more recent research describing the hematopoietic stem cell transplant experiences of pediatric sibling donors and nondonors have advanced our understanding in these specialty areas. 

Jennifer, we are deeply grateful for your dedication to Carolina Nursing’s mission. Your contributions to the UNC School of Nursing have been immeasurable, and your legacy will endure. As you embark on this new chapter of your life, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your dedication and leadership. You will be missed, but your influence on our programs and the countless lives you’ve touched will always be a part of our history. 

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on her retirement and wishing her much fulfillment and happiness in her next phase of life. 

Sincerely, 

Val