Boise State University has selected Joelle Powers as the dean of the College of Health Sciences after a national search.
Powers has served as senior associate dean of the College of Health Sciences since 2016. She also served as the interim divisional dean for the School of Social Work from 2021 to 2022.
“Joelle has been integral to the incredible success of our health sciences programs and is poised to lead us into the future, as we seek to deepen our connections with industry partners and meet the needs of our state,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, president. “I am delighted to welcome her to our campus leadership team.”
Before transitioning into college-level leadership, Powers worked with students in the School of Social Work as a professor and coordinator of the Master of Social Work program. The online Master of Social Work program has gone on to be named #1 in the nation by Fortune Magazine.
“The College of Health Sciences here at Boise State plays a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for highly-trained healthcare professionals across the Treasure Valley and the State of Idaho, and Joelle Powers has been a leader in that work for many years,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Buckwalter said. “I am confident that Dr. Powers will successfully foster the community ties, innovative research and industry connections that make our health sciences programs some of the best in the country.”
Powers is also heavily involved in Boise State’s Strategic Enrollment Retention Plan and served as president of the Faculty Senate from 2015 to 2016. Last year, she was named chair of the St. Luke’s Health System Treasure Valley Community Board.
“I’m so proud of the great work our faculty and staff are doing to positively impact our students and the larger community,” Powers said. “It is truly my privilege to serve as the next dean of the College of Health Sciences.”
Powers will assume the deanship on July 1, 2024, when Tim Dunnagan steps down after serving as dean of the College of Health Sciences for over 14 years.
Powers earned a doctorate in social work from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University, and a bachelor’s degree in family life sciences from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.