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Penn has begun the process to extend School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel’s term through 2028 (Photo from Nursing School).
Penn is beginning a consultative process to extend the tenure of School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel, who also received a master’s degree from the Nursing School in 1982, for another two years.
In an email to the Nursing School community, Penn President Larry Jameson said that the University will initiate the process to extend Villarruel’s term through June 30, 2028. Villaurrel was appointed dean in 2014, and her tenure was previously extended in 2020.
“Following conversations with Dean Villarruel about her future plans and consistent with University protocol, we will initiate a consultative process to extend Dean Villarruel’s term for an additional two years,” Jameson wrote in the email.
According to Penn’s faculty handbook, the process requires creating a student and faculty committee that will provide feedback to Villarruel on her progress towards Penn’s goals, potential challenges, and opportunities the school faces in its future.
During Villaruel’s service as dean, the Nursing School reported receiving the largest charitable donation ever to a school of nursing in the United States. The $125 million gift, made by 1954 Wharton graduate and major Penn donor Leonard Lauder, began a tuition-free program working to increase nurses in underserved areas.
Before becoming dean of the Nursing School, Villarruel received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nazareth College, a Master of Science in Nursing from Penn, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
Villarruel is also a charter member of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a member of the Institute of Medicine, and a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She directs the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership along with Nursing School professor Eileen Lake.
When Villarruel was originally appointed in 2014, The Daily Pennsylvanian highlighted her commitment towards diversity and minority communities and her support towards nursing research as her strengths during her time at the University of Michigan.
In 2021, Villarruel received the Health Care Leader Award from the American Academy of Nursing for her impact in shaping health policy.
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