Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN

Post Doctoral Education, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health in: Nurse Scientist, 2000
PhD, University of Michigan in: Nursing, Health Care Systems, 1999
MSN, Grand Valley State University in: Nursing Administration, 1995
BS, Michigan State University in: Nursing, 1979

Dr. Linda Scott is the dean of the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Nursing. She was appointed the eighth dean of the School in July 2016 where she provides direction and leadership in educating nurses for the future of care, strengthening the school’s research enterprise, and forging partnerships to improve health outcomes.  She previously served the University of Illinois at Chicago as the College of Nursing’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, with additional responsibilities as the Director of Graduate Studies, PhD Studies, and Urban Health. From 2009-2012, she served as associate dean for graduate programs Kirkhof College of Nursing at Grand Valley State University.  

Dr. Scott’s program of research focuses on the impact of fatigue and sleep deprivation on both nurses and their patients. Dr. Scott has also developed and implemented programs focused on economically disadvantaged students, including racial and ethnic minorities. She has led diversity efforts across academic degrees, curricula, and universities, including the implementation of holistic review for admission and program initiatives that address the social determinants of student success to maximize retention, progression, and graduation.  

Dr. Scott assumed presidency of the American Academy of Nursing in 2022. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (2008), the National Academies of Practice (2020), and the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (2024); a current board member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; a past board member for the International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing, and past associate editor for Nursing Outlook, the official journal of the American Academy of Nursing.  

Dr. Scott earned her PhD in nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, her master’s degree from Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan, and her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing. She was honored with Grand Valley State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. In 2020, Dr. Scott received the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Pioneering Spirit Award for her significant contributions to addressing issues facing acute and critical care nursing practice. 

Research focus areas

Health Systems and Public Health

• Dean Scott studies the impact of fatigue and sleep deprivation on both nurses and their patients.
• Dean Scott has developed and implemented programs focused on economically disadvantaged students, including racial and ethnic minorities.
• Dean Scott has led diversity efforts across academic degrees, curricula, and universities, including holistic approaches to admission review and student success. These initiatives contribute to the development of the future nursing research, education, and practice workforce to meet the complex health needs of all populations.

Health Systems & Public Health

Learn more about Dean Scott’s research

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