Associate Professor Persephone Vargas (DNP, APN, ANP-BC, FNP-B) has been named interim associate dean for advanced nursing practice at Rutgers School of Nursing, effective December 15. The division houses the school’s highly ranked Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.

Vargas has moved into the administrative role previously held by Associate Professor Sharon Anderson (DNP, PN, NNP-BC, AGN-BC, CNE) who decided to return to the faculty to fully focus on teaching graduate students and conducting her clinical practice in medical genetics at Rutgers Health.

In announcing the transitions, Dean Linda Flynn (PhD, RN, FAAN) lauded Anderson for her contributions to the School of Nursing, where she has been a member of the faculty since 2016. In the Division of Advanced Nursing Practice, Anderson served as assistant dean (2017-19), interim associate dean (2019-21), and associate dean (2021-23). Her leadership posts also included co-director of the RN to BS in Nursing program.

“Dr. Anderson led the Advanced Practice Division during the Covid-19 pandemic— one of the most challenging times for all of us, especially nurses,” Flynn said. “We owe her a debt of sincere gratitude. Despite the challenges, our DNP program was and remains one of the best DNP programs in the U.S.”

Vargas brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role as interim associate dean, said Flynn. “Dr. Vargas has distinguished herself as an expert nurse educator and academic leader since 2015 when she joined the faculty of William Paterson University. During her tenure at William Paterson, she served as the coordinator of Level 4 within their undergraduate program, as well as the lead coordinator of the family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontological nurse practitioner and post-master’s certificate programs. She joined Rutgers School of Nursing in 2022 as specialty director of our family nurse practitioner DNP degree program.

During her service as interim associate dean of the advanced practice, Professor Jeffery Kwong (DNP, MPH, AGPNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN) will be assisting and supporting Dr. Vargas as she continues to manage the FNP Program. 

“Please join me in thanking and congratulating Dr. Sharon Anderson, Dr. Perse Vargas, and Dr. Jeff Kwong for their service, their expertise, and their many accomplishments,” said Flynn.