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![\"antonia-villarruel-photo-from-penn-nursing\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/f971fb52-bd38-4de9-b2c1-03ffe4e8c9d5.sized-1000x1000.jpg\")
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Penn has begun the process to extend School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel\u2019s term through 2028 (Photo from Nursing School).<\/p>\n
Penn is beginning a consultative process to extend the tenure of School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel, who also received a master\u2019s degree from the Nursing School in 1982, for another two years.\n<\/p>\n
In an email to the Nursing School community, Penn President Larry Jameson said that the University will initiate the process to extend Villarruel\u2019s term through June 30, 2028. Villaurrel was appointed dean in 2014, and her tenure was previously extended in 2020.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing conversations with Dean Villarruel about her future plans and consistent with University protocol, we will initiate a consultative process to extend Dean Villarruel\u2019s term for an additional two years,\u201d Jameson wrote in the email.\n<\/p>\n
According to Penn\u2019s faculty handbook, the process requires creating a student and faculty committee that will provide feedback to Villarruel on her progress towards Penn\u2019s goals, potential challenges, and opportunities the school faces in its future.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
During Villaruel\u2019s 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<\/a>, made by 1954 Wharton graduate and major Penn donor Leonard Lauder, began a tuition-free program working to increase nurses in underserved areas.\n<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\n\t<\/p>\n Villarruel is also a charter member of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 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\u2019s Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership along with Nursing School professor Eileen Lake.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n When Villarruel was originally appointed in 2014, The Daily Pennsylvanian highlighted<\/a> her commitment towards diversity and minority communities and her support towards nursing research as her strengths during her time at the University of Michigan.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n In 2021, Villarruel received the Health Care Leader Award from the American Academy of Nursing for her impact in shaping health policy.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation<\/a> to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.<\/p>\n