Ellen Furxhi Appointed Vice Dean and Chief of Staff

Ellen Furxhi has been appointed Vice Dean and Chief of Staff in the School & Arts and Sciences, effective June 27, 2024. Furxhi has served at the Wharton School as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Dean since 2021, where she was the primary administrative lead to the Deputy Dean, providing comprehensive support on all academic matters and overseeing faculty affairs and institutional research.

Furxhi’s previous experience also includes two roles at Harvard University. As Assistant Dean for the Division of Arts and Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, she managed faculty-related procedures and policies for a division comprising approximately 400 ladder and non-ladder faculty across 21 departments and 14 centers and museums. Prior to that position, Furxhi served as Director of Administration in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

“Ellen brings with her a distinguished career in higher education administration and leadership that positions her well for this critical role as a senior advisor to the Dean and key partner in the planning and execution of high-level priorities and initiatives,” says Steven J. Fluharty, Dean and Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience.

Furxhi succeeds Allison Rose, who is retiring after a 34-year Penn career that has included 27 years in the School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office.

“Allison’s deep knowledge about Penn and SAS, and her skilled management of a broad range of School-wide planning and administrative activities, have made her a highly valued member of the SAS senior leadership and a tremendous asset to each of the deans she has served,” says Fluharty.