Full Circle: From Downstate Baby to SOHP Assistant Dean
By Office of the President | Nov 18, 2025
Some stories truly come full circle. For Vanessa Vales-Lewis, Ph.D., M.Phil., that circle begins and ends at Downstate. Born at University Hospital at Downstate and growing up in Brooklyn, she discovered her passion for science education through the Health Science Academy of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. She now returns as Assistant Dean of the School of Health Professions (SOHP).
Dr. Vales-Lewis’s journey with Downstate spans nearly every stage of her life. As a high school student, she joined the Academy’s pipeline programs that introduce young people to health careers. Years later, she returned to the Academy as staff, designing programs that helped other Brooklyn students see themselves in the health professions. Her work earned a PASEsetter Award with the Partnership for Afterschool Education (PASE), which recognizes afterschool educators making a meaningful impact on New York City youth.
Before her new role, Dr. Vales-Lewis served as Assistant Director of Academic Advisement in the Office of Student Academic Services, where she created initiatives that paired academic coaching with mentorship across Downstate’s five schools. Her work earned recognition from the College of Medicine’s Learning Environment Committee, which honored her for professionalism and positive influence on the student experience.
With over 15 years of experience in K–12 and higher education, including positions at CUNY’s Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center, Dr. Vales-Lewis brings a broad range of expertise in teaching, research, and student support. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Urban Education (Learning Sciences), a master’s in adolescent science education, and a bachelor’s in biology.
Her current research explores maternal wellness and the transition to motherhood, known as “matrescence,” focusing on how mothers navigate identity, agency, and self-care during this period. Recognized by Forbes and the Graduate Center Press for her leadership in equity and education, she now turns her focus to supporting faculty, mentoring students, and expanding pathways for students in SOHP.
For Dr. Vales-Lewis, the role feels like a return home. “Downstate is where my story began,” she says.