AACN Elects New Leaders to Steer Nursing Through a Critical Era

WASHINGTON – March 10, 2026 – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has announced its 2026 election results, ushering in a new slate of leaders tasked with guiding academic nursing through one of its most challenging periods. With the nation grappling with a severe nursing shortage and a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the newly elected Board of Directors and Nominating Committee members bring a wealth of diverse expertise in simulation, health policy, and curriculum innovation that will be crucial in shaping the future of the profession.

A New Guard for Academic Nursing

At the forefront of the new leadership team is Dr. Valerie Howard of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was elected Chair-Elect. A nationally recognized innovator, Dr. Howard is slated to assume the role of Board Chair from 2028 to 2030. She is joined by Dr. Christine Verni from Niagara University, who will serve as the board's Secretary. The election, which saw votes cast by nearly half of all member deans, also brought in new and re-elected members including Dr. Bimbola Akintade from East Carolina University, Dr. Eileen Fry-Bowers from the University of San Francisco, Dr. Kimberly Hunter from University of Iowa Health Care, and Dr. Versie Johnson-Mallard from Kent State University.

Outgoing AACN Board Chair Dr. Jean Giddens lauded the incoming leaders for their dedication. "AACN applauds our newly elected Board and committee members for their commitment to leading at the intersection of higher education and healthcare at this pivotal time for the nursing profession," Dr. Giddens stated. The new board members will officially begin their terms on March 31, 2026, following the AACN's Deans Annual Meeting.

Tackling a Profession in Crisis

The new leadership steps in as the nursing profession faces a confluence of unprecedented challenges. Projections indicate a significant nursing workforce shortage, with the national supply expected to meet less than 92% of demand by 2026. This crisis is compounded by a critical bottleneck in education: a severe shortage of nursing faculty. In 2024 alone, U.S. nursing schools were forced to turn away over 80,000 qualified applicants primarily due to an insufficient number of educators, clinical sites, and preceptors. A new bipartisan bill, the "Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act," has been introduced in Congress to address the pay gap between academic and clinical roles that lures potential educators away from teaching, but systemic solutions remain a top priority.

The board's composition appears tailored to confront these issues head-on. The combined expertise in academic administration, clinical practice, and policy suggests a multi-pronged strategy will be deployed. The challenges extend beyond simple numbers, requiring a fundamental modernization of nursing curricula to address complex patient needs, health equity, and the integration of technology like artificial intelligence, which is rapidly becoming a standard tool in healthcare settings.

The Architects of Change: Profiles in Leadership

The backgrounds of the new leaders reveal a strategic focus on innovation and practical solutions. Chair-Elect Dr. Valerie Howard is a pioneer in simulation-based education. She was instrumental in developing one of the first Simulation Learning Systems, now used in over 400 nursing schools worldwide, and helped establish the first standards for simulation best practices. Her work leading the North Carolina Future of Nursing Action Coalition also demonstrates a deep commitment to addressing workforce shortages and improving health equity on a state level. Her experience promises a strong push toward leveraging technology to create more effective, practice-ready nurses.

Newly elected Secretary Dr. Christine Verni brings a complementary focus on curriculum reform and nurse well-being. At Niagara University, she has been recognized for revamping the undergraduate curriculum to build personal and professional resiliency—a critical skill in an era of high burnout. As a practicing family nurse practitioner, Dr. Verni provides a vital link between the academic world and the realities of frontline patient care. Her efforts to secure millions in funding and launch new graduate programs underscore a commitment to expanding the pipeline of highly skilled nurses and educators.

This theme of diverse, impactful leadership continues with other board members. Dr. Bimbola Akintade of East Carolina University is a leader in competency-based education and workforce development, while Dr. Kimberly Hunter, a Practice Representative from University of Iowa Health Care, brings executive experience from premier healthcare systems like the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, focusing on operational excellence and Magnet recognition.

Building on a Foundation of Competency

The new board will not be starting from scratch. They inherit a significant framework established by the outgoing leadership, most notably "The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education." Championed by outgoing Chair Dr. Jean Giddens, this landmark initiative created a new model for nursing education focused on competency-based outcomes rather than traditional course requirements. It provides a roadmap for ensuring graduates are prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare.

The expertise of the incoming board members aligns perfectly with the goals of The Essentials. Dr. Howard's background in simulation, for example, directly supports the competency-based assessment of clinical skills. The broader focus on technology, interprofessional education, and health equity among the new members suggests they are well-equipped to not only continue the implementation of The Essentials but to evolve it. This includes integrating emerging areas like AI-assisted diagnostics and telehealth, preparing students for a digitally transformed healthcare environment.

Ultimately, the election represents a deliberate move by the nation's nursing deans to install a leadership team capable of both navigating immediate crises and architecting a sustainable, innovative future for the profession. Their collective vision will be critical in ensuring the next generation of nurses is prepared to meet the health needs of the nation.