Longtime leader leaves lasting impact on USC College of Nursing
Jeannette Andrews, dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing at the University of South Carolina, has announced plans to step down as leader of the College of Nursing effective August 2026, concluding an extraordinary chapter of visionary leadership and lasting impact on the university and the nursing profession.
“As Provost, and on behalf of the university, I extend our deepest gratitude to Dean Andrews for her exceptional leadership and service,” Provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick said. “Her impact will continue to shape the College of Nursing, the university, our health partners, and the communities we serve long into the future.”
Since assuming the deanship in January 2013, Andrews has led the College of Nursing through a period of unprecedented growth, national distinction and expanded influence. Her tenure will span more than 13 years, reflecting a level of continuity that exceeds national norms. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the average dean tenure at peer institutions is about five years.
During Andrews’ tenure, the College of Nursing achieved significant milestones, including:
- Doubling student enrollment and expanding academic programs to meet workforce needs.
- Achieving consistent national rankings in the top 1%–3% of nursing programs.
- Growing research productivity and funding exponentially.
- Recruiting and retaining world-class faculty and staff advancing nursing science and practice.
A hallmark of Andrews’ leadership has been her emphasis on experiential learning and strategic partnerships. Most notably, she spearheaded a landmark public–private partnership with Lexington Health that resulted in a 52,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art clinical education facility for pre-licensure students. The facility includes a nationally accredited simulation center and is recognized nationally as a model for workforce development and innovative nursing education.
Andrews also strengthened the college’s long-term sustainability through philanthropy and strategic investment. Under her leadership, the College of Nursing:
- Tripled its endowment through more than $35 million in philanthropic support.
- Expanded student scholarship opportunities.
- Established seven new endowed professorships to support excellence in teaching, research and service.
“Serving as dean has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Andrews said. “The strength of this college — our teaching, research and scholarship, clinical partnerships and impact — comes directly from the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff.”
Nationally and globally, Andrews is recognized as a leader in community-engaged research and tobacco control interventions. Over the course of her career, she has secured more than $25 million in grant funding and produced more than 250 publications and presentations. With nearly 40 years of combined experience in nursing practice and education, she leaves a legacy defined by innovation, partnership and measurable impact on health outcomes.
The College of Nursing’s growth under Andrews builds on a legacy that dates back to 1942 and reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, clinical outcomes and community impact, priorities Andrews has consistently emphasized throughout her tenure.
A national search for the next dean of the College of Nursing will begin this spring.
The University of South Carolina’s nationally ranked College of Nursing has a multi-pronged mission of teaching, research, practice, service and policy. As the state’s first nationally accredited nursing program, the college has graduated more than 12,500 nurses since 1957 and continues to attract, retain, train and grow the workforce. A national leader in exam passage rates, the college’s graduates are prepared to address local and regional health needs while improving the accessibility of quality health care.