NLN Announces 20th Class of Fellows, Largest in Academy of Nursing Education History

NLN Announces 20th Class of Fellows, Largest in Academy of Nursing Education History

Induction Ceremony Set for Honors Convocation during NLN Education Summit in Washington, DC, September 23-25

Washington, DC — Forty-four distinguished nurse educators — the largest number ever — have been selected as the 20^th class of Fellows for induction into the prestigious National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education.

With the addition of the 2026 class, Academy membership now totals 473. These Fellows join a growing community of leaders in nursing education who teach in a range of programs across the spectrum of higher education. They are affiliated with top-ranked teaching hospitals and health care systems, academic institutions and other organizations committed to advancing the quality and safety of health care in the US and globally.

Following tradition, the induction ceremony will take place at the Honors Convocation, prior to the closing Gala of the 2026 NLN Education Summit on Friday, September 25. This year's gathering in Washington, DC, will include a festive celebration of the Academy Fellows, along with a spotlight on the milestone anniversary of the Academy, created in 2016, making the evening a truly special event.

A record number of applicants for Academy Fellowship made the 2026 selection especially competitive and resulted in the largest Class of Fellows in the Academy’s 20-year history. Nominees to the Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel undergo a rigorous review that evaluates their contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy initiatives that advance nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships. Those who meet the high standard for fellowship are then recommended for induction to the NLN Board of Governors, which oversees the Academy.

“Congratulations to our distinguished class of 2026 Academy of Nursing Education Fellows. We take special pride during this anniversary year in recognizing your extraordinary leadership, fortitude, creativity and compassion that has inspired and motivated students and colleagues alike. Thanks for your dedication to teaching excellence and for helping to launch generations of nursing students into a seamless transition to practice,” 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.

NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “As this year’s application cycle proves, the word is out: ANEF is a credential nurse educators wear with pride. Fellows are unmatched role models, mentors and resources for students, new educators, and those in clinical practice who aspire to join the ranks of nurse faculty. We are delighted to honor the wisdom, experience and enthusiasm of the Academy Class of 2026. Congratulations, colleagues.”

2026 Academy of Nursing Education Fellows

• Jennifer Alderman, PhD, MSN, RN, CNL, CNE, CHSE, NEA-BC
• Megan Arbour, PhD, CNM, CNE, FACNM
• Gail Armstrong, PhD, DNP, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN
• Kelley Borella, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC, FAANP
• Fara Bowler, DNP, APRN, CHSE-A
• Ashley Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, FGSA
• Michelle Bussard, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE
• Sally Carlisle, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE
• Benita Chatmon, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, FAAN, FADLN
• Michelle Cheshire, EdD, MSN, BSN
• Tiffani Chidume, DNP, RN, CHSE-A, CHSOS, FSSH
• Debora Dole, PhD, CNM, FACNM
• Kelly Foltz-Ramos, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE-A, FAAN
• Derrick Glymph, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FIAAN, FAANA, FAAN
• Jennifer Graber, EdD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
• Frank Guido-Sanz, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CHSE, FAANP
• Candace Harrington, PhD, DNP, CNP, AGPCNP-BC, DEGN, CNE, FAAN
• Kechinyere (Kechi) Iheduru-Anderson, EdD, DNP, RN, CNE, FAAN, FADLN
• Krista Jones, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, FNAP, FAAN
• Bonny Kehm, PhD, RN, CNE
• Danilo Lovinaria, DNP, MBA, APRN, CRNA, CHSE, FNAP, FAANA, FAAN
• Rudolf Cymorr Kirby Martinez, PhD, MA, RN, CGNC, CNE, HWNC-BC, AHN-BC, SGAHN, FFNMRCSI
• April Matthias, PhD, RN,CNE
• Claire McKinley Yoder, PhD, RN, CNE
• Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, PhD, CNM. CNE
• Audrey Miller, PhD, MSN Ed, APRN, PPCNP-BC, CPN, CNE, FADLN
• Amy Nagle, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
• Rana Najjar, PhD, RN, CPNP
• Jonas Nguh, PhD, RN, NEA-BC
• Caitlin Nye, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CHSE, CNE
• Alison Pittman, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CHSE, CPN
• Christine Repsha, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CHSE
• Beth Rogers, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE-A
• Jennifer Roye, EdD, MSN, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, PNAP
• Jennifer Saylor, PhD, APRN, ANS-BC
• Ginger Schroers, PhD, RN, CNE
• Margie Sipe, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAONL, FAAN
• Tammy Spencer, RN,DNP, CNE, ACNS-BC, CCNS
• Mary Jo Stanley, Ph.D, RN, CNE
• Catherine Stubin, PhD, RN, CNE, CCRN
• Danica Sumpter, PhD, RN, CNE, FADLN
• Lisa Thomas, PhD, RN, CNE
• Elizabeth Wells-Beede, PhD, RN, C-EFM, CNE, CHSE-A, ACUE, FSSH, FAAN
• Amy Wonder, PhD, RN

Application for admission to the Academy in 2027 opens in November. Eligibility criteria and other details may be found at NLN.org. For more information about the 2026 NLN Education Summit, visit Summit.NLN.org.