Kavita R. Dhanwada, Ph.D.

Dr. Kavita R. Dhanwada is the Founding Dean of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences at Iona University, bringing over 30 years of academic experience as both a faculty member and administrator. She earned her BS in Microbiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her PhD from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Dhanwada’s career spans significant roles in higher education, including serving as faculty in Biology and as an administrator at the University of Northern Iowa, as well as Founding Dean of the Borra College of Health Sciences at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Known for her commitment to innovative curriculum development, interprofessional education, and experiential learning, she has been instrumental in establishing healthcare partnerships and community engagement initiatives that equip students for impactful careers in health sciences. Dr. Dhanwada is also a strong advocate for evidence-based teaching and faculty development. As Dean, she is dedicated to advancing the mission of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences by fostering a supportive, inclusive environment focused on academic excellence, student-centered learning, and collaborative healthcare education.