Hooks named assistant dean with College of Nursing

Dr. J. Dwayne Hooks Jr. will be the new assistant dean for community partnerships at Augusta University’s College of Nursing.

Hooks comes to Augusta from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia where he has worked since 2014. During his time at Kennesaw State, Hooks has served as a clinical assistant professor and coordinator for the Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

“Dr. Hooks brings to the Augusta University College of Nursing an extraordinary wealth of education, talents, and experiences that are key to leading our Center for Strategic Initiatives,” said Dr. Lucy Marion, dean of the College of Nursing. “As assistant dean for community partnerships, he will usher in our new Nurse-Managed Clinical Center and advance our work at East Central Regional Hospital, in addition to teaching in our Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner programs.”

Hooks graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1990 and a Masters in Nursing in 2002. He received a PhD in nursing from the University of Kansas in 2015. Hooks is licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Georgia. He is also a Board Certified Nurse in two specialty areas by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“I am excited to be returning to Augusta University and the College of Nursing,” Hooks said. “As a two-time alumnus, I am honored to be given the opportunity to join such a fantastic team of innovative and dynamic nursing academicians, clinicians and leaders.”

Hooks believes his nursing leadership and current clinical experiences are a perfect fit for his new position. He said he is ready to join the Center for Strategic Initiatives team and go to work building and developing new community partnerships that will contribute to the College of Nursing’s mission.

Hooks has received multiple awards during his career including being inducted as a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and being inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society. He is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. His start date at Augusta University is Sept. 1, 2017.