UC College of Nursing redesignated as NLN Center of Excellence
The designation recognizes leadership in enhancing student learning and professional development
The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing’s commitment to excellence, innovation and collaboration to enhance student learning and professional development has once again earned it the designation as a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
The NLN’s Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation program recognizes schools of nursing, schools within a system and health care organizations that demonstrate sustained, evidence-based and substantive innovation in a specific area; conduct ongoing research to document the effectiveness of such innovation; set high standards for themselves; and are committed to continuous quality improvement. UC College of Nursing was one of 13 organizations to receive the four-year Center of Excellence designation in 2024.
"NLN Centers of Excellence represent the visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence that nurture the next generation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community,” says NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, UC NURS '70, A&S '82.
UC College of Nursing was designated an NLN Center of Excellence in Enhancing Student Learning and Professional Development—one of four areas for which the NLN offers the Center of Excellence designation.
“This recognition means so much to us as a college as it validates the very purpose of our existence—to develop faculty and educate our students in the best way possible,” says Dean Alicia Ribar, PhD, APRN, CNE.
The application for NLN Center of Excellence designation required the college to provide evidence and data-driven outcomes of a shared vision to develop students’ values and socialize them to new roles, ongoing professional development and creativity, along with a commitment by faculty to develop dynamic, innovative learning environments and collaborate with each other, students, clinical partners and the community.
“NLN Centers of Excellence reflect the extraordinary team and teamwork required to engage in the transformative work of nursing education—not just during one semester or even a single academic year, but in a sustained way that demands genuine dedication and authentic commitment to producing consistent programmatic excellence,” says NLN Chair Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, CNE, FAAN.
Formal recognition of this prestigious designation will be made at the 2024 NLN Education Summit, which will be held in San Antonio, TX, in September.
Related Stories
Before the medals: The science behind training for freezing mountain air
February 19, 2026
From freezing temperatures to thin mountain air, University of Cincinnati exercise physiologist Christopher Kotarsky, PhD, explained how cold and altitude impact Olympic performance in a recent WLWT-TV/Ch. 5 news report.
Discovery Amplified expands research, teaching support across A&S
February 19, 2026
The College of Arts & Sciences is investing in a bold new vision for research, teaching and creative activity through Discovery Amplified. This initiative was launched through the Dean’s Office in August 2024, and is expanding its role as a central hub for scholarly activity and research support within the Arts & Sciences (A&S) community. Designed to serve faculty, students, and staff, the initiative aims to strengthen research productivity, foster collaboration, and enhance teaching innovation. Discovery Amplified was created to help scholars define and pursue academic goals while increasing the reach and impact of A&S research and training programs locally and globally. The unit provides tailored guidance, connects collaborators, and supports strategic partnerships that promote innovation across disciplines.
Blood Cancer Healing Center realizes vision of comprehensive care
February 19, 2026
With the opening of research laboratories and the UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Blood Cancer Healing Center has brought its full mission to life as a comprehensive blood cancer hub.