NLN Honors LHSON as 2026 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) is pleased to announce that it has achieved designation as a 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence™ by the National League for Nursing in the category of “Enhances Student Learning and Professional Development.” Formal recognition is scheduled for September 25 in Washington, DC at the Honors Convocation during the 2026 NLN Education Summit, with this year’s conference theme, Beyond the Storm: Reshaping Resilience & Recovery.
“What an absolute privilege for the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing to receive this prestigious honor. We are proud to be nationally ranked for our academic and research excellence and strive to empower Baylor nurses to follow their calling to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Dr. Tanya Sudia, Ph.D., RN, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Tenured Professor of Nursing, LHSON. “Special thanks to our LHSON faculty members, Drs. Deborah Petty, Andrea Archer, Andrea Alexander, Becky Good, Kristen Kirby and Cheryl Tucker, who dedicated their time and expertise to complete the extensive application for the LHSON to be considered for this incredible opportunity.”
“The LHSON is recognized for excellence initiatives strategically strengthening a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across all programs,” said Dr. Deborah Petty, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNE, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Clinical Associate Professor, LHSON. “Our efforts at the LHSON enrich robust student learning enhance dynamic professional development and empower faculty to equip compassionate nursing leaders who effectively deliver high-quality, equitable care globally.”
2026 NLN Centers of Excellence
Advances the Science of Nursing Education
- Duke University School of Nursing
- Kent State University College of Nursing
Impact Climate Change and Planetary Health
- Duke University School of Nursing
Enhances Student Learning and Professional Development
- Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing
- California State University-Fullerton
- Coastal Alabama Community College
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Rush University
- Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden
- South Dakota State University College of Nursing
- University of Nevada - Las Vegas School of Nursing
- University of North Carolina-Greensboro School of Nursing
- University of Texas at San Antonio
Promotes the Academic Progression of Nurses
- Cleveland Clinic
Promotes the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty
- Arizona College of Nursing
- Fairfield University Egan College of Nursing and Health Studies
- Indiana University School of Nursing (Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis)
- Quinnipiac University School of Nursing
- Southern Connecticut State University
- University of South Carolina College of Nursing
“Congratulations to these well-deserving 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence. They truly represent the outstanding efforts of academic nursing leadership, faculty and students who collaborate to create programs that inspire and support the development of an outstanding nursing workforce,” said NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital.
“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.
About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at NLN.org. For more information about the 2026 NLN Education Summit, visit Summit.NLN.org.