NLN Congratulates Chief Program Officer Elaine Tagliareni on Duquesne University Honorary Degree

Doctor of Humane Letters Conferred at 2014 Commencement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, June 3, 2014 — Elaine Tagliareni, EdD, RN, CNE, FAAN, a chief program officer at the National League for Nursing, is one of just two honorary degree candidates selected by Duquesne University this year. Dr. Tagliareni was awarded a doctor of humane letters at the university's Commencement Exercises on May 9 on the Pittsburgh, PA campus.

Noted Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor of the Duquesne University School of Nursing, "The academic progression model developed by Dr. Tagliareni resulted in a significant increase in the number of nurses from under-represented backgrounds prepared for higher degrees. Dr. Tagliareni's commitment to diverse and underserved populations is in concert with Duquesne University's mission."

"We are proud of all that Elaine has accomplished over the years of her distinguished career in nursing education and administration and continues to accomplish through her leadership role at the NLN," said NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN. "While the NLN is honored, by extension, by this prestigious recognition, those who have the privilege to call Dr. Tagliareni colleague and work with her every day, are not surprised."

Dr. Tagliareni joined the NLN's professional staff in 2010, shortly after her two-year term as NLN president. Prior to that, she had spent more than 25 years as a professor of nursing at Community College of Philadelphia. There, she also served as Independence Foundation Chair in Community Health Nursing Education.

Dr. Tagliareni has a long history of organizational leadership. During her NLN presidency, she worked to reframe the dialogue surrounding entry into practice to focus on developing and supporting models that increase the academic progression of all nursing graduates. Among the supporters of her scholarship and academic practice are the W. K. Kellogg, John A. Hartford, and Hearst Foundations; and the National Institutes of Health. Her endeavors to advance nursing practice and education have increased diversity of the nursing workforce; promoted educational mobility for all nurses through the creation, implementation, and dissemination of new educational models; and advance care excellence for seniors through the NLN ACES program.

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 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education, and health care organizations and agencies. 

Duquesne University 
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic research universities for its award-winning faculty and tradition of academic excellence. It is nationally ranked by US News and World Report and the Princeton Review for its rich academic programs in 10 schools of study for 10,000-plus graduate and undergraduate students, and by the Washington Monthly for service and contributing to students' social mobility. Duquesne is a member of the US President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction for its contributions to Pittsburgh and communities around the globe. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges acknowledge Duquesne's commitment to sustainability.