The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) has named Jeffrey Stokes as head of the Department of Allied Health Sciences, effective August 2026. Stokes succeeds Justin Nash, who will transition to a faculty role after leading the department since 2017.
Stokes joins UConn from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he serves as associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Gerontology. A nationally recognized scholar in aging and health, his research examines how social, behavioral, and relational factors influence health and well-being across the lifespan.
“Dr. Stokes brings a combination of research excellence, academic leadership, and commitment to student success,” says Kumar Venkitanarayanan, dean and director of CAHNR. “His collaborative approach, strong record of mentorship, and vision for interdisciplinary health sciences position him well to lead Allied Health Sciences as it continues to grow its impact in research, education, and community engagement.”
Stokes’ research focuses on the social determinants of health, including social relationships, health disparities, aging, and well-being. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations and has resulted in more than 70 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Research on Aging and was recently elected a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, one of the field’s highest professional honors.
Throughout his career, Stokes has emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship. As graduate program director at UMass Boston, he has overseen doctoral education, curriculum planning, student recruitment, and academic policy development while supporting the growth and success of graduate students and faculty colleagues.
Stokes earned his Ph.D. and MA in sociology from Boston College, where he also earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology. Before joining UMass Boston in 2018, he served as an assistant professor at Illinois State University.
His leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, transparency, mentorship, and inclusive decision-making. He has articulated a vision for the Department of Allied Health Sciences that emphasizes interdisciplinary research, faculty development, student success, and preparing graduates to address complex health challenges through evidence-based practice and scholarship.
“I am extremely excited to be joining such a dynamic, productive, and interdisciplinary faculty as department head. I look forward to building collaborations with students and faculty within the department, throughout CAHNR, and across UConn sites, including at AHS Waterbury. This is a dream opportunity for me, and one I relish taking on. Go Huskies!”
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