Dr. Lisa R. Dunkley is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC) program in the College of Health Sciences at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). In addition to her faculty appointment, she serves in academic leadership and mentorship roles across the university, contributing to curriculum development, student leadership initiatives, and community-engaged programming focused on rural health and workforce development.

Dr. Dunkley’s academic work centers on experiential learning, disability across the lifespan, trauma-informed care, addiction recovery support, and community-based rehabilitation. She is the author of Internship, Practicum, and Capstone: A Guide for Health Sciences, a comprehensive textbook designed to prepare undergraduate students for professional practice through structured experiential education, ethical decision-making, and applied skill development. Her scholarship emphasizes bridging classroom learning with real-world application, particularly within underserved and rural communities in Appalachia.

Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to rehabilitation, health equity, and student empowerment. Drawing from both scholarly research and lived experiences within communities impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, Dr. Dunkley has cultivated a teaching philosophy grounded in compassion, evidence-based practice, and professional identity formation. She has led significant curriculum redesign efforts to strengthen student learning outcomes, integrate community partnerships, and align programming with regional workforce needs. Her work often highlights disability employment, social determinants of health, interprofessional collaboration, and leadership development for emerging health professionals.

A strong advocate for innovation in higher education, Dr. Dunkley integrates technology-enhanced learning strategies into her courses, including virtual simulations and responsible AI applications to deepen critical analysis and applied reasoning skills. She collaborates with institutional teaching and learning centers to model ethical AI integration and to enhance content acquisition and critical thinking among undergraduate students.

Dr. Dunkley’s professional pursuits extend beyond traditional classroom instruction. She actively develops grant-funded initiatives aimed at improving access to preventive health services, expanding experiential training opportunities, and addressing workforce shortages in rural health settings. Through partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and regional workforce councils, she works to strengthen pipelines for students entering rehabilitation, wellness, and community health professions.

She holds advanced degrees in rehabilitation and health sciences and maintains active affiliations with professional organizations focused on disability studies, rehabilitation education, and health equity. Dr. Dunkley has received recognition for leadership, mentorship, and innovation in teaching. Her work and commentary on trauma-informed education, disability advocacy, and experiential learning have been featured in academic forums, university publications, and professional presentations.

Dr. Dunkley remains committed to preparing compassionate, critically minded health professionals who are equipped to serve diverse populations and to lead meaningful change in their communities.