Dean Emeritus, Consultant Higher Education

Kathleen O’Grady Winston, PhD, RN retired as the Dean for the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix on January 31, 2022, and continues to serve the college as Dean Emeritus. Dr. Winston is a consultant for Nursing and Health Sciences across the country and provides a wide range of services to support nursing practice, research, and education. As a thought leader and transformational leader Dr. Winston brings breadth and depth of higher education experience and a natural talent and enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of nursing and higher education leaders.

Inspired by her father, Col John F. O’Grady, a Vietnam MIA/POW, Kathleen developed her passion for service at a young age. That passion was cultivated during her educational journey at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) undergraduate School of Nursing where she received both her Associate and Baccalaureate of Science degrees in Nursing, which generated a career of inspirational service to others.

Widely regarded as an expert, administrator, scholar and leader in higher education, Dr. Winston’s experience in undergraduate and graduate nursing education spans more than thirty years. Her experience includes directing an externally funded National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant for graduate education in high-risk home healthcare nursing practice, and as a curriculum expert Dr. Winston was a lead author for the California Healthcare Workforce standardized nursing curriculum state-wide project. Dr. Winston has served on academic and community advisory committees, served as graduate student thesis advisor, and provided curriculum consultation to schools across the country.

As a recognized leader and administrator in nursing education, Dr. Winston was invited as a member of the Governors Nursing Shortage Taskforce in California, which resulted in the creation of an enrollment growth project funded by the state legislature and continuing today. Dr. Winston formed strategic partnerships with healthcare agencies throughout southern California helping to create a blueprint for clinical access for nursing education programs. Dr. Winston is an active member of a variety of professional organizations and honor societies including Sigma Theta Tau and Delta Epsilon Sigma.

Dr. Winston has been the recipient of several honors and recognition for leadership and service as a Dean of Nursing and received a research award from the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) to support her academic scholarship. Dr. Winston has practiced clinically and conducted and published research in public and community health and is an author in an award-winning family health textbook. Most recently, Dr. Winston was named an Athena Award finalist, a prestigious recognition of female leaders in the community.

Prior to retirement and the assignment with the University of Phoenix, Dr. Winston was a Nurse Educator in the California University System (CSU) at three premier universities, three California Community Colleges (CCC’s), a private for-profit institution and non-profit University.

Dr. Winston holds a PhD in Nursing Science and Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego where she also received a Master of Science in Family Health Nursing and Nursing Education. She authored a chapter on family role distribution and confusion in an ANA Book of the Year titled Family Health Promotion and her research interests include the study of post-gastric bypass surgery patients and transfer addiction. Most recently, Dr. Winston works as a mentor, coach and advocate for nursing leadership succession planning as she develops strategic plans for preparing the next generation of nurse educators and nursing academic leaders.

Dr. Winston has an insatiable interest in preparing nurses for practice, education and leadership and is the champion for mentoring new nurse educators. Dr. Winston enthusiastically promotes the accomplishments of faculty, staff and colleagues and believes it is her responsibility and her reward to advance opportunities and advocate on behalf of those who directly impact student success.

Dr. Winston enjoys her husband John, daughter Tristen and Bichon Frise, Coco Chanel who provide her with unconditional love and support as she enjoys her career as a nurse, educator and administrator.

Back to the Advisory Council