Widener University has named Audrey Snyder as the next dean of the School of Nursing.
Snyder will assume the role on July 1, 2025.
She succeeds Anne Krouse, who has retired from Widener’s School of Nursing after 25 years of distinguished service, including seven as dean.
“I am delighted to welcome Audrey Snyder to the Widener community,” said Provost Andrew Workman. “Audrey’s proven dedication to nursing education and meaningful student experiences will be a tremendous asset to Widener’s nursing program.
“In addition to being an exceptional nursing scholar, Audrey brings a deep passion for engaging with the communities around her to improve healthcare access and outcomes. Her demonstrated commitment to service and care at the local, national, and international levels will help to advance Widener’s mission and values.”
A celebrated educator, passionate healthcare advocate, and accomplished scholar, Snyder brings more than 40 years of experience to this role. She comes to Widener from the University of North Carolina Greensboro where she currently serves as professor and associate dean for Community Engagement and Academic Partnerships.
“I am truly honored to join the pride at Widener University,” said Audrey Snyder. “The School of Nursing has a strong history of promoting nursing excellence in practice, leadership, research, and service to nursing and the community. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, and community partners to continue this legacy.”
Throughout her career, Snyder has focused on promoting access to care for rural and under-resourced populations.
While at UNC Greensboro, Snyder was instrumental in securing federal funding to promote telehealth education for rural environments and launching the nursing program’s mobile clinic, known as Minerva’s Mobile Health, to increase healthcare access in rural and under-resourced communities in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Snyder is a leading expert and scholar in disaster preparation and response. Her primary research focuses on improving the lives of individuals at risk for disasters through disaster resilience.
Her research is informed by her diverse disaster response experiences across the United States, most notably following hurricanes Katrina and Rita and refugee response at the United States-Mexico border.
Snyder has also participated in international responses such as the earthquake response in El Salvador and Haiti.
Snyder’s career is marked with accolades and achievements from many distinguished institutions.
She received the 2023 Lillian Wald Humanitarian Award by the National League for Nursing and was honored as a North Carolina Great 100 Nurse for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Snyder has secured more than $12 million in funding from federal, foundation, and intramural grants, including the Emergency Nurses Association.
Snyder received her PhD, acute care nurse practitioner certificate, master of science in nursing, and bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Virginia.
She holds a family nurse practitioner certificate from the University of Northern Colorado and completed her nursing diploma at the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Danville, Virginia.
Snyder and her husband, Thomas Nayduch, are parents of a Labrador Retriever, Sasha.
Widener University is a private institution known for its commitment to the personal and professional success of every student.
Core values of respect, integrity and excellence are reflected in an outstanding student experience provided through an agile, innovative and inclusive approach to learning.
Industry-shaping faculty provide close, personal mentorship and share powerful connections that help students build professional networks.
Widener, with its main campus in Chester, offers programs and experiences that empower its community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders and globally engaged citizens.
