Rolanda Johnson, PhD, MSN, assistant dean for academics and associate professor of nursing, has been named assistant dean for diversity and inclusion for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She replaces Assistant Professor Jana Lauderdale, who returned to her faculty role.

In her new role, Johnson oversees VUSN's efforts to support and foster an environment that is culturally appreciative and inclusive, particularly for historically underrepresented and marginalized groups and individuals. She also continues as assistant dean for academics, charged with assisting students with special curriculum needs or who experience academic difficulty.

Johnson joined VUSN in 1998, the same year she received her PhD in Nursing Science from Vanderbilt. She has held multiple leadership roles for VUSN initiatives and was the first African American to hold a vice-chair position in Vanderbilt's Faculty Senate. Johnson is the founding president of the Nashville Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association. Earlier in 2018, she was honored as a Vanderbilt Pioneer for her role with the Faculty Senate and at VUSN.