Staff & Faculty Directory

Dr. Varghese is a tenured Associate Professor of Nursing at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), where she has served since 2019 in both faculty and leadership roles, including Director of the RN to BS Program (2019–2024). With over two decades of experience in clinical practice, education, and healthcare leadership, Dr. Varghese brings a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges nursing practice, policy, and education.

She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an M.S. in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems from Grand Canyon University, an M.A. in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Social Policy and Public Administration from Queens College (CUNY), and a B.S. in Nursing with minors in Spanish and Psychology from St. John Fisher College. She is the first in her family to attend college and understands the struggles of first-generation college students.

Dr. Varghese’s scholarly work focuses on professional identity formation, trauma-informed care, health equity, global health, environmental health, and the social determinants of health. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals such as Nursing Outlook, Journal of Professional Nursing, and Nursing Economics, and regularly contributes to professional publications and opinion pieces addressing contemporary health policy and practice issues.

A frequent presenter at national and international conferences, Dr. Varghese has delivered lectures and workshops on topics ranging from climate and health advocacy to cultural humility, academic writing, and healthcare leadership. She has been recognized with numerous honors and awards.

At New York Tech she contributes extensively to university service, mentoring, and interprofessional education initiatives. Her leadership in academic and professional service includes serving on research and diversity committees across national and regional organizations including as:

Chairperson of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

Inaugural Research Committee Member for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing

Co- Chair of Climate and Health Special Interest Group for the American Nurses Association – New York

Research Committee Chair for the Indian Nurses Association of New York

Dr. Varghese is deeply committed to advancing inclusive and transformative nursing education that prepares students to lead in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Her work reflects commitment to equity, innovation, and evidence-based practice in all areas of nursing education and health care delivery.