Linda Hollinger-Smith

College of Nursing
Ph.D. Nursing

Dr. Linda Hollinger-Smith has more than 28 years of experience in higher education including roles as a nurse scholar, educator, leader, and researcher. She served in a dual role as Assistant Dean for Academic Systems at Rush University College of Nursing, creating their first Adult Nurse Practitioner program, and Director of Nursing of the Rush Primary Care Institute with responsibilities for leading clinical nursing, education and research efforts supporting diverse communities. She then served as Vice President for Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, focusing on enhancing the quality of gerontological nursing education and elder care. Most recently, she served as Associate Provost and Chief Research Officer for Chamberlain University, overseeing the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Research. Dr. Hollinger-Smith led research efforts to develop the Social Determinants of Learning framework which is being tested and adopted by other academic institutions. Most recently, she joined Walden University and will be teaching in the PhD in Nursing program.

Dr. Hollinger-Smith holds a PhD with a focus in Gerontology from the University of Illinois at the Medical Center in Chicago, along with a Certification in Gerontological Studies from the University of Illinois School of Public Health and both Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Illinois at the Medical Center.

Education

BSN, University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

MSN, University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

Public Service

Maricopa County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers, Volunteer - Phoenix

Awards / Honors

Adtalem TEACH Award for Academic Innovation, Adtalem, 2019

Fellow of the Academy of Nursing Education, National League for Nursing, 2016

Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Academy of Nursing, 2005

Publications

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2026). Headwinds or Tailwinds? Navigating Competency-Based Education Research Methodologies.. Nursing education perspectives

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2025). Navigating Open Access Data Resources to Transform Nursing Education Research Methodologies.. Nursing education perspectives

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2025). Mixed Methodology in Nursing Education Research: Navigating "Dueling" Paradigms.. Nursing education perspectives

Hollinger-Smith, L., Patterson, B. J., Morin, K. H., Scott, C. J. (2023). Cognitive and Noncognitive Factors Influencing Nursing Students' Academic Success: Structural Equation Model Analysis.. Nursing education perspectives

Sanderson, C. D., Hollinger-Smith, L. M., Cox, K. M. (2022). A Model for Student Success.. The Journal of nursing education

Hollinger-Smith, L. D., O'Lynn, C. M., Groenwald, S. M. (2021). The Importance of Meaningful Faculty Recognition in Creating a Healthy Academic Work Environment: A Mixed-Methods Study.. Nursing education perspectives

Sanderson, C. D., Hollinger-Smith, L. M., Cox, K. N. (2021). Developing a Social Determinants of Learning™ Framework: A Case Study.. Nursing education perspectives

Smith, J. L., Hollinger-Smith, L. N. (2015). Savoring, resilience, and psychological well-being in older adults.. Aging & mental health

Presentations

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2025). Transforming Methodologies in Nursing Education Research: the Foundation for Innovations in Education and Practice. National League for Nursing

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2022). The Impact of Social Determinants of Learning on Nursing Students’ Success Outcomes. National League for Nursing

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2021). A Social Determinants of Learning Framework for Nursing Education . National League for Nursing

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2021). Promoting Equity and Student Success in a Changed World . Higher Learning Commission

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2019). Guiding Student Success Through Performance Modeling . Higher Learning Commission

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2018). Implementing a Co-curricular Model to Promote Nursing Students’ Learning Outcomes and Program . National League for Nursing

Hollinger-Smith, L. (2017). The Importance of Meaningful Faculty Recognition: What Our Faculty are Telling Us . National League for Nursing