Michael Varano, MBA

Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Wellbeing

New Brunswick

120 Albany St. - 356

(732) 235-5919

  • Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Michael (Mike) Varano is the Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Wellbeing for the Rutgers University School of Nursing.  In this role, Dean Varano facilitates and supports the personal, academic, and co-curricular development of the School of Nursing’s diverse student population across all campuses, including both graduate and undergraduate student populations. He also oversees the astute planning of all events associated with the matriculation of graduate and undergraduate students including new student orientation and onboarding, graduation activities including commencement coordination and the planning of the school-wide convocation. 

Dean Varano and the Student Engagement Team provide guidance and advisement to all student leadership organizations within the School of Nursing including the student senate and student government, peer mentorship, and community service.  They also provide consultation, education, and recommendations on issues pertaining to student wellness and students in crisis, including student mental health and disability.

Serving the School of Nursing community for over 13 years, Dean Varano began his time at Nursing on our Blackwood campus with the 2+2 BS in Nursing program, where he created and developed all student service and student affairs practices for the campus, including admissions and recruitment, student onboarding, academic advisement, and student leadership. During his time at the School of Nursing, Mike has previously served as Director for Student Engagement and Wellbeing, and has served on several committees within the Rutgers Health Chancellor’s Unit and the School of Nursing.

Mike holds two degrees from Seton Hall University – an MBA in International Business and a B.S. in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Marketing and Sport Management.