Dean Lin Zhan stepping down after five years of transformative growth

After five years of leadership, Lin Zhan, PhD, RN, FAAN, is stepping down from her role as dean of the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing, effective July 31, 2026.

Dean Zhan has led UCLA Nursing during a period of substantial change and growth. Most notably, she has played a central role in shaping the school’s philanthropic efforts, leading to the single highest fundraising year in the school’s 76+ year history, including the largest individual gift ever made, last year’s $30 million commitment by Joe C. Wen and his family. 

“We have a responsibility to not only educate exceptional nurses, but to shape the future of healthcare through innovation, leadership, and excellence,” said Dean Zhan. “At its core, leadership, to me, is about stewardship – strengthening an institution so that it is more impactful, more visible, and stronger than when you arrived. I believe we have accomplished that.”

Under her leadership, the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing has taken steps to enhance its offerings and improve outcomes. The school launched its new Post BSN-DNP program, refocused its PhD program, and undertook a comprehensive curriculum review across all academic offerings, aligning with the national standards, “The New Essentials: Competency-based education for Professional Nursing,” endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Through mentorship and support efforts, the school’s research enterprise has transformed, growing by 40% in the past three years. And it has combated a historic depletion of senate faculty members, advocating for and adding more than half a dozen senate faculty since 2022. 

Dean Zhan has helped deepen the school’s partnership with UCLA Health. She has worked to expand UCLA Nursing’s global collaborations, establishing formal affiliations with institutions across Africa, Asia, and Europe. And, despite a challenging budgetary environment, she has found ways to support students in their academic success, enhance outdated classrooms, and modernize training spaces. Beginning August, Dean Zhan will take well deserved sabbatical leave.

Dr. Barbara Bates-Jensen, professor and associate dean of academic affairs, will serve as interim dean beginning August 1, 2026, as the university begins a national search for the position.