Four Women Appointed to Dean Positions

Sarah Nutter was named dean of the School of Management at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She is a professor of accounting at the university and has been serving as acting dean.

Dr. Nutter is a graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. She earned an MBA and a Ph.D. at Michigan State University.

Dana Clawson was appointed dean of the College of Nursing and School of Applied Health at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She has served as interim dean since September 1. Dr. Clawson joined the faculty at the university in 2000 and has played a major role in the university’s development of the doctor of nursing practice degree program.

Dr. Clawson holds an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree in nursing from Northwestern State University. She earned a doctor of nursing practice degree at Louisiana State University.

Martha Abell was named dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. She has been serving as interim dean since 2012. Dr. Abell has served on the Georgia Southern faculty since 1989 and was awarded tenure in 1995. She served as chair of the department of mathematical sciences from 2004 to 2012.

Dr. Abell is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Antonia Villarruel was appointed dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She will begin her new role on July 1. Dr. Villarreul currently holds the Nola J. Pender Collegiate Chair and is associate dean for research and global affairs at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Previously she taught at the Penn nursing school from 1995 to 2000.

Dr. Villarruel is a graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University in Detroit.