Denton, TX – Texas Woman’s University (TWU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Woods as the new dean of its College of Nursing, effective October 1. Dr. Woods, a highly experienced nursing educator and leader, brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having held significant positions in both academic and healthcare settings.
Dr. Woods returns to TWU after a successful tenure as the dean and professor at the Hunt School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, where she served for six years. Prior to this, she was the associate dean for the Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell School of Nursing at TWU’s Dallas campus, where she worked for nine years.
TWU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Angela Bauer, praised Dr. Woods’ innovative leadership and dedication to student success. “Her experience and energy will help guide TWU’s expanding health presence in Denton, Dallas, and Houston,” Dr. Bauer stated.
Dr. Woods is currently a co-investigator on a five-year Hispanic Serving Institute grant, which focuses on creating pathways into nursing and supporting at-risk nursing students. She has also contributed her expertise to various boards, including Parkland Health and Hospital System, Texas Health Resources Presbyterian, and the DFW Hospital Council Foundation, among others.
In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Woods is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Association of Nurse Leaders (AONL), Texas Nurses Association (TNA), and American Association for the History of Nursing (AAHN). She has also served on the national board of directors for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Dr. Woods holds a bachelor’s degree from TWU, a master’s degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, and a doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
As she steps into her new role, Dr. Woods is expected to play a crucial part in shaping the future of nursing education at TWU, fostering growth and innovation across the university’s campuses.