Popular Nursing Prof Mahon denied tenure

Students said they were stunned at the decision to deny Mahon tenure. The recent announcement by a popular Nursing School professor to her classes that she was denied tenure has left Nursing students stunned, confused and upset over the imminent departure of what many called an outstanding teacher and role model. Mimi Mahon has taught, researched and practiced pediatric nursing since coming to Penn in 1982, but she will have to leave the University after the upcoming spring semester. It is not clear at which stage of the tenure process or for what reasons Mahon was rejected. Nursing School spokesperson Susan Greenbaum would only say that "it is University policy to maintain a high level of confidentiality around all faculty and staff personnel matters." Nursing School and University officials refused to comment further. Several of Mahon's faculty colleagues also declined to comment. The decision has not yet been officially announced by the University. "I was totally surprised that she didn't get tenure," Nursing senior Tara Nolan said. "I don't know why and no one will really say why." Mahon, the lecturer for a required junior-year Nursing course called Nursing of Children, also declined to comment. The issue of tenure appointments at the University has often been a source of controversy and tension among students, faculty and administrators. In recent years, there have been several well-known cases in which a popular professor was denied tenure, causing a stir among students. Most recently, Political Science Professor Daniel Deudney left the University last year after being turned down for tenure, resulting in protest from students. The probationary period for tenure candidates is seven years long, with candidates undergoing a review after the third year. Candidates apply for tenure in their sixth year and face a year-long process consisting of an initial review by tenured faculty in their department, a review by their home school and consideration by the University's personnel committee. Applicants' tenure bids may be rejected at any stage of the three-tier process, but they may appeal the decision in their seventh year of teaching. Professors who do not receive tenure after their seventh year at Penn have to leave the University. Originally from Chicago, Mahon went to Loyola University of Chicago for her undergraduate degree and came to Penn in 1982 for her master's degree and doctorate. She joined Penn's faculty in 1983. Mahon has an adjunct faculty appointment at Penn's Center for Bioethics and does clinical work and research on childhood bereavement. She is also a regular guest on Kids' Corner, a WXPN radio show for children, where she discusses issues such as cancer and child abuse. While various unconfirmed rumors as to why Mahon was not granted tenure are circulating among students, it is hard to find disagreement about Mahon's teaching and personality. "She's really interested in her students, inside and outside of class," Nursing senior Laura Becker said. She added that last year, when she took the pediatric nursing course, Mahon went out of her way to know the students by name and always checked up on them at their clinical sites. Mahon's class, which discusses the care needs of children and their families and includes a clinical section as well, is not considered easy. Nursing junior Kristen Haley, who is taking the class this semester, said Mahon "is not a pushover. Her class is really, really challenging." She also noted that she has learned more from Mahon's teaching -- which often revolves around stories from her own clinical experience -- than in her "entire nursing career." Nursing senior Laura Ardizzone was one of the first to hear about the decision from her adviser, Mahon, who told her at a personal meeting November 2. And Mahon broke the news to many of her former students the week of November 9, when she came to the seniors' community nursing class. Ardizzone said this issue affects all students and has made them "recognize that we have no say in who gets tenure." Nursing senior Beth Rohrer said that her "biggest concern is that regardless of whether or not Dr. Mahon was a good professor, we had pretty much no say in the process." And Nursing School alumna Sarah Frisby, who now is a nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said that even though Mahon is "here to teach," no one ever asked the students for input on how well she teaches. Most schools at the University do consider student input in tenure decisions. Greenbaum refused to say whether student input is part of the Nursing School's tenure process. Nolan, who said Mahon was a role model and "inspiration" to many students, wondered "who are they going to get to fill her position," since there are few, if any, people who know Penn, the student body and the pediatric nursing field as well as Mahon does. "They're going to have a hard time finding someone who can take over the position and do the kind of job that she has done," Nolan said.