Nursing’s Silvia Xu awarded U of A Staff Award of Excellence

Silvia Xu, the assistant dean for finance and administration at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, was honored with a 2025 U of A Staff Award of Excellence in late April. The annual awards are presented by the Employee Recognition Committee, and recipients are nominated by colleagues and selected by a panel of volunteer staff members and faculty judges. 

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Xu, who has been with the U of A for 12 years and the College of Nursing for 10, leads the business office, which provides business processing, development, budgeting, strategic planning and financial analysis services. 

“It humbles me to receive this award,” said Xu. “I am so thankful for the support and recognition from our leaders and our customers. I am especially thankful for having a great team. This award belongs to the whole team.” 

In nominating Xu for the award, Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the college, wrote that Xu’s financial leadership has been particularly impressive during the past two years of financial uncertainty. 

“Silvia's expertise in financial planning, budgeting and resource allocation has been instrumental in the college’s ability to grow and thrive. She has played a pivotal role in ensuring fiscal stability while also positioning the college for long-term sustainability,” Ahn wrote. “Beyond her financial acumen, Silvia is a trusted leader and valued colleague. Her ability to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of faculty, staff and students demonstrates her deep understanding of higher education and her dedication to fostering a supportive academic environment.”

Xu has a master’s degree in accounting and economics and has been a certified public accountant for 17 years. During her time at Nursing, the college’s budget has nearly doubled and student enrollment has grown from 1,000 to 2,000 students. 

“These advancements, coupled with our ascent into the top 20 nursing schools nationwide, are a direct reflection of her strategic financial planning and innovative resource management,” wrote Ahn.

Each year, the U of A Employee Recognition Committee recognizes university staff members for outstanding achievements in furthering the missions of the University of Arizona. 

“I want to thank the U of A Staff Council and the university leadership for organizing such staff recognition events,” said Xu. “They mean a lot to all staff who are working hard to make things happen within the university.”