Penn Nursing Dean Antonia M. Villarruel’s appointment extended for two years
image: Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing
Credit: Penn Nursing
PHILADELPHIA (November 6, 2025) – The University of Pennsylvania today announced that Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing, will have her appointment extended for an additional two years, through June 30, 2028. The decision, announced by University President J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, and Provost John L. Jackson, Jr., PhD, follows a comprehensive review that recognized her exceptional leadership and significant advancements across education, research, and community engagement at the School of Nursing and globally.
Villarruel, a distinguished 1982 alumna of the School’s MSN program, was first appointed Dean in 2014. Her tenure has been characterized by a commitment to innovation, a focus on health equity, and a drive to secure Penn Nursing’s position at the forefront of global health care.
A Decade of Transformative Leadership
Under Villarruel's stewardship, Penn Nursing has achieved remarkable success:
- Global Preeminence: Penn Nursing has been ranked the #1 nursing school in the world for nine consecutive years by the QS World University Rankings.
- Research Powerhouse: The School is a top recipient of National Institutes of Health funding for nursing research with awards more than doubling over the past decade.
- Champion for Access: Villarruel has prioritized making health care accessible for all, launching key initiatives like the Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative and programs such as the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program, which supports the education of advanced nurses in primary care to serve rural and urban underserved communities.
- Innovation Ecosystem: She has embedded an innovation mindset into the School's culture to foster groundbreaking solutions together with communities and interdisciplinary colleagues.
The extension ensures continuity as the School pursues strategic priorities, including advancing research, and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders to meet evolving global health needs.
"I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me to continue leading this extraordinary community. The challenges in health care today demand not only excellence in education and research but fierce advocacy for every community we serve,” Villarruel said. “Together, we have built a research, practice and innovation ecosystem that positions our faculty and students to forge new pathways to accessible care. I look forward to these next two years as we continue to drive our mission forward, ensuring Penn Nursing remains a truly transformative force in improving the health of individuals, families, and communities, locally and globally."
# # #
About the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is one of the world’s leading nursing schools. It has been ranked the #1 nursing school in the U.S. by QS University for a decade. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is among the top-ranked programs in the nation, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. Penn Nursing also consistently earns high rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best graduate schools and is a top recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for nursing research. Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists and nurse leaders to meet the health needs of a global society through innovation in research, education, and practice. Follow Penn Nursing on: Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, & Instagram.