UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Raymonde A. Brown, associate dean for undergraduate education in the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Academic Nurse Leader Award from ATI Nursing Education.
The honor is one of four new ATI Nurse Educator Awards introduced this year to recognize nurse educators whose work exemplifies excellence, leadership and lasting impact on the profession. The Academic Nurse Leader Award recognizes a senior academic leader whose vision and leadership have advanced nursing education at both the programmatic and institutional levels. Recipients are selected through a peer nomination and review process.
ATI recognized Brown as a transformative leader in nursing education, citing her programmatic leadership, faculty mentorship and commitment to student achievement, including strong National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates.
Brown joined Penn State in 1988 as a nursing instructor and has spent her entire academic career with the University. Over nearly four decades at the University, she has held several leadership roles including nursing program coordinator, professor in charge of undergraduate nursing programs and since 2008 has served as associate dean managing undergraduate education at 12 Penn State campuses.
During her tenure as associate dean, Brown helped guide the college’s transition from offering an associate degree in nursing to offering a bachelor of science in nursing across multiple Commonwealth Campuses and supported the launch of the accelerated registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program through Penn State World Campus.
She led the development of the college’s second-degree bachelor of science in nursing program that is delivered at Penn State Altoona and Penn State Harrisburg and laid the groundwork for an expansion to Penn State Erie, where the pathway is set to launch this fall. The Altoona and Harrisburg programs have reported 100% NCLEX pass rates for registered nurses for the past two years.
In addition to her work with students and academic programs, Brown has been recognized by colleagues as a dedicated mentor. She has encouraged faculty members to pursue professional development opportunities, including the Certified Nurse Educator designation, and supported faculty growth through initiatives such as a five-year faculty development plan and the creation of an assistant dean position dedicated to faculty development.
Brown’s professional service includes involvement with organizations including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Nursing Schools Association.
Brown, who is retiring from Penn State this month, said the recognition is especially meaningful as she reflects on her career in nursing education.
“This recognition means a great deal to me as I prepare to retire,” Brown said. “It reflects what has made my career at Penn State so meaningful: working with students and faculty to strengthen nursing education. I am thankful to ATI for the award and to the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing community for the many years of collaboration and commitment in service of the nursing profession.”
Brown was honored alongside three other award recipients in April at the 2026 ATI National Nurse Educator Summit in Tucson, Arizona.