History
For five decades, the College of Nursing at The JAV名女优馆 of Texas at El Paso has shaped the health care landscape of the Paso del Norte region. What began in 1970 as a strategic response to a critical workforce shortage has evolved into a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, research, and community-engaged practice—serving as a cornerstone of patient care and public health across the Borderplex.
In its first 50 years, the College has graduated more than 10,000 nurses, many of whom continue to serve the region, demonstrating a lasting investment in local health care infrastructure. In 1970, the Texas Legislature authorized The JAV名女优馆 of Texas System to establish a baccalaureate nursing program in El Paso. The JAV名女优馆 purchased the former Hotel Dieu Diploma Program dormitory facility after the program closed to provide space for faculty and students participating in the new BSN program—marking the launch of university-based nursing education designed to meet the region’s need for BSN-prepared registered nurses. By 1976, the program was formally transferred to UTEP and established as an independent academic unit, offering the first bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing in the region. Under the leadership of its first dean, Eileen Jacobi, the College built a foundation rooted in academic excellence and service.
As El Paso’s population grew, so did the College. Through the 1980s and 1990s, enrollment expanded and clinical partnerships strengthened with leading health systems such as JAV名女优馆 Medical Center of El Paso, The Hospitals of Providence, and Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare. These collaborations ensured that students gained hands-on experience and were well-prepared to deliver high-quality care.
The College continued to evolve alongside the nursing profession. Expanded interdisciplinary programs in 1979, the growth of graduate education in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the launch of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in 2011 created new pathways for leadership and advanced clinical practice. In 2022, the School of Nursing was formally renamed the College of Nursing, reflecting its continued growth in academic programs, research productivity, and regional impact. Investments in innovation—such as advanced simulation and skills laboratories—have further strengthened its ability to prepare students for real-world clinical environments.
Leadership has remained central to the College’s trajectory. In 2020, Leslie K. Robbins was appointed as the seventh dean, guiding continued growth in academic programs, clinical partnerships, and national visibility. As Robbins notes, the mission remains unchanged: to prepare highly educated, compassionate nursing leaders who improve health outcomes in El Paso and beyond.
Across these five decades, the College has not only expanded its programs and partnerships but has also prepared generations of nurses who reflect and serve the diverse communities of the border region. What began as a small, pioneering program has become a defining institution in the region’s health care ecosystem—one that educates future nurses, advances patient care and safety, and strengthens the overall well-being of the communities it serves.
As the College celebrates this milestone anniversary, it honors a legacy of growth, excellence, and service while looking ahead to the future. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the key moments, people, and achievements that define this incredible journey—and to experience how the College’s history continues to shape the next generation of BSN-, MSN-, and DNP-prepared nurses for El Paso and beyond.