Rate My Professor Jean Leuner

Jean D'Meza Leuner, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN, is a professor in Health Science at the University of Central Florida. She holds a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration from Boston College (1994), an MSN in Advanced Preparation in Medical Surgical Nursing Teaching from Boston College (1979), and a BSN in Nursing from Seton Hall University (1975). Leuner began her academic career with roles such as Instructor in Medical Surgical Nursing at St. Anselm College (1976-1984) and advanced to leadership positions including Associate Dean for Academics and Evaluation and Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing (1996-2001). At UCF, she served as Director and Professor of the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Public Affairs from 2003 to 2007. She then led as Founding Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing from 2007 to 2013, remaining as Professor until 2015. During her tenure, she oversaw the development of innovative nursing education models featuring seamless articulation and concurrent enrollment in associate and baccalaureate programs across expanding locations, raised over $6 million in endowments for nursing education, and established four endowed chairs within a decade. Leuner contributed to university initiatives as chair of the Provost Evaluation Assessment Committee, member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and participant in interprofessional education and public health program development efforts.

Leuner's research focuses on nursing education, preparation of nurse educators, outcomes of concurrent ASN/BSN enrollment programs, cancer rehabilitation, physicians' perceptions of advanced practice providers in rural and urban settings, and health status differences in African-American and Anglo-American adults. Notable publications include Wink, D., Heglund, S., Simmons, J., & Leuner, J. (2016). Thirteen years and counting: Outcomes of a Concurrent ASN/BSN enrollment program. Journal of Professional Nursing; Ruland, J., & Leuner, J.D. (2010). Master’s programs preparing nurse educators: What is the current state of affairs? Nurse Educator, 35(6), 248-253; and Burgess, S.E., Pruitt, R.H., Maybee, P., Metz, A.E., & Leuner, J.D. (2003). Rural and urban physicians’ perceptions regarding the role and practice of the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and certified nurse midwife. The Journal of Rural Health, 19(5), 321-328. She earned prestigious honors such as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (2012), Great 100 Nurses in Florida – Role Model Category (2009), Women Who Mean Business (Orlando Business Journal, 2010), and Nurse Leader Excellence Award (Florida Nurses Association, District 8, 2007). Leuner served on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Board of Directors, chaired the Florida Association of Colleges of Nursing, and held editorial roles including reviewer for The Journal of Nursing Education and The Journal of Professional Nursing.