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Johnson named Dean of Sciences, Math, and Allied Health

Talayia Johnson of Little Rock was named Dean of the school of Sciences, Mathematics, and Allied Health at University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College on July 7. She previously served as Associate Dean of the School and has served as Interim Dean since April 4, 2022.

Talayia Johnson MSN, NHCE, RN received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and her Master of Science in Nursing with a certificate in Nursing and Healthcare Education from the University of Phoenix. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock working toward her Ed.D. in Higher Education with her research focused on Student Affairs/Student Retention. She has been licensed as a registered nurse for over 20 years. Her nursing career has allowed her to serve in various areas from bedside to educating nursing students. Dean Johnson loves students and higher education has become her passion.

During her service as the Associate Dean of Allied Health and Director of Nursing Programs at University of Arkansas- Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC), Johnson has more than tripled the size of the practical nursing program and worked to upgrade the labs and classrooms for the program, while also working to start new programs within the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Allied Health.

“I want to thank the search committee for their dedication to selecting the next Dean of Science, Math, and Allied Health,” said Provost Summer DeProw. “Also, I am looking forward to working with Dean Johnson on many projects to increase our allied health education capacity, engaging the community, and working with our partner institutions such as UAMS and UALR. Dean Johnson has an impressive record of increasing enrollment and achieving programmatic accreditation.”

Johnson began her career in nursing academia at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) as an Assistant Professor and was the course coordinator within the first year of the program. In this position, she helped grow the program and introduced an alternative teaching style into nursing education by implementing the “Flipped Classroom” which increased student engagement and student retention. Her educational philosophy is based in the belief that every student can learn. She is the most recent recipient of the Mary Ann Shope Outstanding Academic Leadership Award.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to be afforded this opportunity to serve faculty, staff, and students within the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Allied Health as well as the entire campus,” Dean Johnson stated. “It is my hope that our team effort will be the catalyst to change the trajectory of the students that we encounter during their educational journey.”

The UA-PTC School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Allied Health offers associate degrees and certificate programs Practical Nursing, Dental Assisting, Respiratory Therapy, Emergency Medical Sciences, Surgical Technology, Pre-Health Care Studies, Health Information Technology, Radiography, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Sleep Technology. The School also supports students’ general education needs, offering courses in physics, biology, chemistry, health sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics.