Villanova University Appoints New College of Nursing Dean

Villanova University recently announced the appointment of a new Connelly Endowed Dean of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. Donna Sullivan Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, will be joining the university, effective June 30.

Dr. Havens’ career in nursing spans two decades including roles in nursing practice, academia, administration, and research in the US and abroad. She spent more than a decade at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing as a professor, division chair, and interim dean of the school.

As interim dean, Havens was responsible for planning new academic programs to respond to health care needs regionally, nationally, and internationally. She also helped to enhance student enrollment and retention, and launched a nurse faculty-run van to perform health assessments in underserved areas.

Havens earned her BSN at Cedar Crest College, her MSN at Villanova University, her PhD at the University of Maryland, and completed postdoctoral study at the University of Pennsylvania in the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research.

Dr. Havens tells Villanova.edu, “I am both honored and excited to return to my alma mater as the Connelly Endowed Dean of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. The College is where I was mentored to become the nursing professional that I am today, so returning to Villanova seems most appropriate. I am delighted to come home to the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing to collaborate with University leaders, faculty, staff, alumni and students to build on Dr. Fitzpatrick’s splendid legacy to educate the next generation of Villanova nurses.”

To learn more about Dr. Havens’ appointment as the new dean of the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, visit here.