Dr. Hyochol Brian Ahn named Dean of the College of Nursing at The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Hyochol Brian Ahn

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has named Dr. Hyochol Brian Ahn as the next Dean of the College of Nursing following a national search. His appointment begins July 1, 2026.

Ahn joins UAH from the University of Arizona, where he currently serves as Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing.

“Dr. Ahn is a nationally recognized leader in academic nursing, with a record of building research enterprises, launching new programs, developing faculty, and forging clinical and philanthropic partnerships at scale,” said Dr. David Puleo, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

In addition to serving as Dean, Ahn will serve as Executive Director of the UAH – Huntsville Hospital Health System Nursing Leadership Collaborative.

“His dual role reflects the importance UAH places on deepening our partnership with Huntsville Hospital Health System and advancing nursing leadership in our region,” said Puleo. “We are confident he will be a tremendous asset to the College of Nursing and to UAH's broader academic mission.”

Throughout his career, Ahn has held progressive academic leadership roles at the University of Florida, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Florida State University before assuming his current deanship at Arizona.

Ahn holds a Ph.D. in Nursing, as well as Master’s degrees in Nursing, Medicine and Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Florida. He is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.