Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Where I Lead
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
    1. UNG
    2. News & Events
    3. Where I Lead
    4. Faculty & Staff

    Carolynn DeSandre

    Dr. Carolynn DeSandre believes that to improve the health of families, especially in rural areas, it is essential to understand the patients being served and how to connect with them.

    "I believe that the way we learn about health and illness stems from our primary socialization unit, the family," DeSandre said. "So as a healthcare provider and a nurse educator, to truly be able to improve the health of families, it is essential to understand their beliefs about health and wellness and design treatment strategies which work within their daily lives."

    DeSandre is the dean of UNG's College of Health Sciences and Professions. She took over the permanent role in summer 2021 after serving as interim dean since December 2019. She earned her Ph.D. in human development & family science from the University of Georgia. Her other degrees include the Master of Science in nursing from Emory University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.

    A certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner, DeSandre joined UNG's nursing faculty in 2007. She was one of the co-authors of UNG's proposal for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which launched its first cohort in fall 2019. DeSandre also helped develop the college's interprofessional education model and has led UNG's mock disaster program.

    In spring 2021, she piloted a Designated Education Unit (DEU) with Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS). The DEU program provides hands-on clinical instruction for UNG students at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville and Lumpkin hospitals, as well as Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urgent Care and Primary Care facilities.

    Health care is a fast-changing field, and DeSandre ensures that she and fellow faculty keep up-to-date on the latest protocols and research.

    "Nursing is an evidence-based discipline where protocols are designed from clinical evidence derived from research," DeSandre said. "Since healthcare is ongoing and ever-changing, we must always be current and continuously identifying the newest methods for helping our patients and this involves ongoing research and sharing of evidence through professional publications and presentations."

    DeSandre also believes that service is a huge component of nursing, and she has been instrumental in designing service learning components for UNG's clinical graduate courses.

    Her career highlights include recognition with a Faculty Scholar Award to complete her doctoral research. She also has been recognized as March of Dimes Advanced Nurse of the Year.

    The one thing that she hopes becomes ingrained in UNG's nursing students? That they are people connecting with other people.

    "I hope that students will always remember that they are humans trying to serve families in a dynamic healthcare environment, and through human connections, they have the ability to change lives," DeSandre said. "I want them to feel empowered to reach their educational goals, try new experiences in diverse clinical settings, and go beyond their 'comfort-zones' to develop into whole individuals. I want them to also remember that education is fun, innovative and life-long."

    Cameron Harper

    Cameron Harper

    Cameron Harper aimed to help others on campus like he had been helped.
    Kristen Lagasse

    Kristen Lagasse

    Kristen Lagasse uses her experience with concussions to lead discussions about preventing them.
    Kyle Cruce

    Kyle Cruce

    UNG alumnus Kyle Cruce, '20, never saw himself as being in an executive position, but he flourished at UNG. The development of his leadership skills proved beneficial.
    Shannon Williams

    Shannon Williams

    Studying at UNG helped Shannon Williams transition from being a firefighter and paramedic to being a nurse.
    Molly Vandiver

    Molly Vandiver

    UNG alumna Molly Vandiver, '21, used her love of helping people to serve her fellow students in the Student Government Association and used her love of science to earn a nursing degree.
    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel