Christine Kennedy, PhD, RN, FAAN, announced she will retire as dean of Rush University’s College of Nursing in June 2026. Over the next eight months, she will prepare the College of Nursing for its next leader as the university looks to announce its search for a new dean in the coming months.
Kennedy joined Rush University in October 2020 and made a lasting impact on the university as a whole, serving as not only the dean for CON, but also as interim provost from September 2022 until May 2025.
“Dr. Kennedy has made a tremendous contribution to Rush University,” says Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, president, Rush University. “Her leadership has played a pivotal role in continuing to solidify the College of Nursing as a nationally ranked and highly recognized place to further one’s education in the nursing world. Rush University owes her a deep gratitude not only for her leadership in CON but her work as interim provost for the institution.”
As Kennedy prepares for her retirement, she leaves behind a college that is stronger in research, robust operationally and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
“Starting with a pandemic and ending with a dramatically changed health care and education landscape wasn’t the trajectory I would have imagined. But it was meaningful work. And I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
When Kennedy arrived at Rush in 2020, it was a period of significant transition for the college. As the pandemic carried on, the college also faced faculty and leadership turnover. Kennedy stepped up to the challenge to rebuild the college and create a new generation of faculty, including many early career investigators.
Kennedy focused on the following five strategic priorities to lead the College of Nursing into its new era:
- Support inclusive excellence
- Foster innovation, including new work options, tracks and scholarships
- Further integrate faculty practice into the college
- Promote education, research and practice for the health of an urban city population by advancing climate change research that impacts health
- Develop actions that increase diversification of revenue streams
During this time, CON’s health equity work expanded through the creation of an associate dean role and the establishment of endowed chairs. She also championed the creation of the Kellogg Scholars Program to support early-career faculty.
Kennedy also dedicated her time to improving faculty development. She revised faculty promotion to better align with the college’s mission of education, research and practice. This ensured faculty could be better recognized for all of their work. Under her leadership, CON also developed new pathways for mentorship and staff advancement.
Despite the challenges of fundraising during a pandemic and beyond, Kennedy helped raise approximately $20 million in grants and philanthropic support over five years, roughly $4 million annually. This included support for student scholarships, faculty positions, research and program development.
Kennedy’s legacy at Rush is one of transformation, innovation and dedication to a mission larger than herself. Her work as dean puts the college’s future leader in a position of success and strength.
The college Kennedy leaves behind is stronger, more integrated and better positioned for future challenges. Her research-driven approach to leadership, commitment to transparency and focus on elevating others has created lasting change that extends far beyond her tenure.
“Starting with a pandemic and ending with a dramatically changed health care and education landscape wasn’t the trajectory I would have imagined,” Kennedy says. “But it was meaningful work. And I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
