Gloria Donnelly, founding dean of Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, has stepped down from that role to focus on online education.
Donnelly’s list of achievements is long: in 1996, she founded a new school of nursing at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, which became part of MCP Hahnemann University.
When MCP Hahnemann merged into Drexel in 2002, Donnelly became founding dean of Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Under her leadership, the college’s research portfolio has grown. The college also supported the development and expansion of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center, a national model of nurse-led care delivery for underserved populations.
Donnelly also advanced the college’s position in online education, and that’s where she is focusing her energy now.
Donnelly remains on the faculty and continues teaching. She is also leading special projects with a focus on strengthening online education at Drexel through Drexel University Online.