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�Ը������� University has received its fourth designation as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing for 2026 - 2030. Recognized in the “Advancing the Science of Nursing Education” category for its dedication to innovative and evidence-based nursing education, the college was initially designated a Center of Excellence in 2013 in the same category and is one of two organizations to achieve this category designation in 2026. 

“As the �Ը������� University College of Nursing celebrates its upcoming 60th anniversary, earning a fourth-year designation as a Center of Excellence in Advancing the Science of Nursing Education recognizes our faculty’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of today’s students and preparing practice-ready nurses to address the complex demands of contemporary healthcare,” said Tracey Motter, DNP, MSN, RN, �Ը������� University College of Nursing Interim Dean. 

As a leader in nursing education, �Ը�������’s College of Nursing is dedicated to meeting the needs of the community by addressing the changes and challenges of a complex healthcare system. 

“The future of nursing education is about getting our students out into the community, exploring innovative approaches to care, and preparing them for the realities of practice. We’re exploring opportunities that would allow our students to volunteer at diabetes camps, along with incorporating virtual reality simulations and artificial intelligence within the practice of nursing,” said Motter. “We want to move beyond simply introducing new technologies to using them to graduate better-prepared nurses. Critical thinking is essential, and we must create learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, make sound clinical decisions, and use AI safely, effectively, and ethically.”

The college’s faculty continue to advance nursing science through innovative research, scholarship, and discovery. Their work informs evidence-based practice and contributes to improving health care outcomes locally, nationally, and globally. Faculty members also serve as leaders in professional organizations, editorial boards, and community initiatives, while sharing their expertise and shaping the future of nursing and health care on an international stage.

“Earning the NLN Center of Excellence designation reflects the hard work and commitment by these nursing schools and programs to sustain innovation and excellence in every aspect of the academic experience, from classroom to clinic to campus life. We applaud the 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence and thank them for demonstrating values and actions that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary in nursing education,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, in a .

�Ը������� University College of Nursing faculty members Dana Hansen, Ph.D., APRN, ACHPN, FPCN; Tracy Dodson, PhD, MSN, RN, CEN; and Tina Saunders PhD, RN, CNE, GCNS-BC, represented the college at the Honors Convocation during the 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Sept. 25. They accepted the designation certificate on behalf of the college, formally recognizing its designation as a Center of Excellence for Advancing Nursing Science.

As �Ը������� University College of Nursing approaches its 60th anniversary, its fourth consecutive designation as a Center of Excellence in Advancing the Science of Nursing Education honors the faculty’s ongoing commitment to supporting today’s students and preparing graduates to meet the evolving demands of the nursing profession and the challenges of today’s healthcare arena.

Photo Caption: �Ը������� University College of Nursing faculty members Dana Hansen, Tracy Dodson and Tina Saunders (center) pose with two National League for Nursing representatives during the 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, where they accepted the college’s Center of Excellence designation certificate.