The UNC Greensboro School of Nursing was named Tuesday as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN), joining a select group of nursing programs from across the country to earn this distinction in 2021.

The School of Nursing was recognized for creating an environment to “promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty.” It marked the fifth time since 2005 that the NLN honored UNCG for promoting faculty excellence in teaching.

The School of Nursing was also recognized in 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2016. Only two other nursing schools have been designated a Center of Excellence for as long as UNCG – the Community College of Philadelphia and Excelsior (N.Y.) College.

UNCG was one of only 23 nursing programs to be named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education this year. UNC Wilmington was the only other school in the UNC System to make the list, while Duke University was also honored.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by the NLN for our dedication to educational excellence.”

Dr. Debra Barksdale, dean of the UNCG School of Nursing

UNCG will be formally recognized at the 2021 NLN Summit on Saturday, September 25, in Washington, D.C. The NLN is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education.

“Since our first designation as a Center of Excellence, we have continued to sustain and enhance the excellent environment, activities, and faculty collaboration and engagement that first brought us recognition in 2005,” the School of Nursing wrote in its 2021 application to the NLN. “The School has continued to grow in programs, size, and reputation as a school of pedagogical excellence and innovation.”