Dear SON Community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sheba Ann Luke, DNP, RN, FNP-C, NEA-BC, as Graduate Department Chair, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Luke currently serves as interim Graduate Department Chair, MSN Program Director and Associate Professor at the School of Nursing and brings more than a decade of experience in graduate nursing education, academic leadership, faculty development and program administration.
In her current role, she has provided strategic oversight for curriculum, program evaluation, accreditation readiness, faculty workload planning and continuous quality improvement for the MSN program. Her leadership has played a key role in advancing academic excellence, strengthening governance processes and supporting faculty and student success.
Throughout her tenure at UTMB, Dr. Luke has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence in nursing education. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Texas Nurse Practitioners 2023 Nurse Practitioner Educator Award. A nationally recognized thought leader in educational innovation and competency-based learning, Dr. Luke has disseminated her scholarship through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at regional, national and international conferences, contributing to advancements in nursing education and workforce development.
Dr. Luke has held numerous leadership and service roles within state and national professional organizations, reflecting her strong commitment to advocacy, faculty development and the advancement of nurse practitioner education. She currently serves as a Legislative Ambassador for Texas Nurse Practitioners. Nationally, she serves as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials Champion for UTMB and is a selected member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Faculty Institute Committee. Through these roles, Dr. Luke brings a broad perspective on policy, practice and academic leadership that informs her work and supports the continued growth of graduate nursing education.
Since assuming the interim role in January, Dr. Luke has provided strong, steady leadership for the graduate department, working closely with faculty, staff and leadership to support academic quality, operational effectiveness and strategic priorities. Her collaborative leadership style, deep understanding of UTMB’s graduate programs and commitment to faculty and student success position the department for continued growth and excellence.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Luke on her appointment as Graduate Department Chair.
Sincerely,
Kristen Starnes-Ott, PhD, BS, CRNA, FAANA, FNAP
Dean ad interim
Vice Dean Academic Affairs and Professor
Betty P. Akins Endowed Chair in Nursing
UTMB School of Nursing