Dr. Betsy Gulledge Selected for AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Program
06/08/2026
By Brett Buckner
Dr. Betsy Gulledge, Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Administrator for the College of Health Professions and Wellness, has been chosen to participate in the highly competitive American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)-Wharton Executive Leadership Program.
This fellowship is designed to advance chief academic administrators to a higher level of leadership by preparing participants to advance their academic careers and assume increasingly complex leadership roles.
“I was very honored and humbled,” Dr. Gulledge said. “This is a highly selective program and something I have had on my professional bucket list for many years. I finally applied and did not expect selection on the first attempt. I hope to learn a great deal that I can implement in the School of Nursing at JSU.”
The program is hosted at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The program begins with a three-day leadership institute taught by Wharton faculty that addresses important executive leadership topics and includes numerous assessment experiences. Dr. Gulledge expects to learn more about the financial side of higher education, specifically in terms of nursing.
“That is always a challenge, so I hope to learn more techniques and strategies to maximize funding opportunities that will positively impact our School of Nursing students and faculty.”
Dr. Gulledge’s father was a business faculty member at a university and often told her that she should one day attend Wharton for an advanced degree.
“In a small way,” she said, “I feel this is a little wink from him since I am finally making it to Wharton in some capacity.”
Dr. Gulledge is looking forward to being on the Wharton campus, connecting with other nursing leaders from across the country, and “learning innovative strategies and techniques that I can bring back to JSU,” she said.
The program continues throughout the year with online interactions and meetings at the AACN Annual Meeting.
“I am excited about the networking opportunities and the additional career support from other nurse leaders,” she said.