american association of colleges of nursing | The voice of academic nursing | Diversity Symposium | transform. connect. learn. lead | June 4-6, 2025

2026 Access, Connection, Engagement (ACE) Symposium

June 10-12, 2026 | Charlotte, NC

This national forum invites academic nursing administrators, faculty, and staff to engage with leading experts committed to the access and connection work of nursing education. Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical strategies for schools transitioning from awareness to action in preparing students to provide quality healthcare to all in an ever-changing landscape.

Conference Outcomes

Analyze Policy Influence
Examine how current and emerging health, education, and workforce policies influence access, connection, and engagement in academic nursing, with a focus on both the opportunities and challenges they present.
Leverage Power for Change
Identify strategies for harnessing institutional, community, and collective power to advance healthy, psychologically safe, connected, valued, supported, and prepared environments.
Navigate Pathways to Excellence
Explore practical approaches for strengthening infrastructure, improving climate, supporting scholarship, broadening access, and deepening community partnerships so that students, faculty, and staff are prepared to meet evolving workforce and community health needs.
Strengthen Advocacy and Leadership
Develop action steps to influence policy and practice at the institutional, state, and national levels, thereby sustaining academic nursing excellence and advancing health outcomes.
Foster Collaborative and Sustainable Partnerships
Build lasting collaborations with clinical partners, community organizations, and other academic institutions that enhance innovation, support student learning, and expand nursing’s impact on health and well-being.

Who Can Attend

Academic nursing administrators, faculty, and staff.

Building Connection in Academic Nursing

Join nurse faculty and leaders at the 2026 ACE Symposium

Pre-Conference Offerings

Access, Connection, Engagement Network (ACELN) Program

June 10, 2026

Offered as part of the Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network (ACELN) program, this interactive pre-conference brings together faculty leaders to explore practical strategies for strengthening belonging, mentorship, and leadership pathways for men in nursing.

Learn More about the PhD Pre-Conference

ACE Ecosystem of Excellence for Academic Nursing Tier 0 Calibration Labs

June 9, 2026

ACE Ecosystem of Excellence for Academic Nursing Tier 0 Calibration Labs are designed to refine and calibrate the tools within the ACE Ecosystem Strengthening Model prior to national implementation. These sessions focus on ensuring that all tools are clear, usable, and functioning as intended across diverse institutional contexts.

Learn More about the Faculty Practice Pre-Conference

Community Engagement Opportunity: Diaper Bank of North Carolina!

AACN is proud to partner with the Diaper Bank of North Carolina to support local families in need. Attendees are encouraged to participate by purchasing essential items through the Diaper Bank’s Amazon wishlist. Donations help provide diapers, wipes, and other necessities to families across North Carolina.

What is the Diaper Bank? Support the Cause

Conference Venue

Sheraton Charlotte Hotel

Join us at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, located in Uptown Charlotte near the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Levine Center for the Arts, with easy access to the city’s dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.

View Hotel Information

2025 Highlights & Attendee Experience

See why academic nursing leaders return each year to connect, learn, and lead.

Testimonials

"I thought this symposium was very timely, very intriguing. Overall, I found the content thought-provoking and relevant to the challenges and opportunities we face in academic nursing today."

"It was a great opportunity to learn and a welcoming environment. I appreciated the flow of content and the app has been extremely helpful. Thank you!"

"Following this conference, I feel better equipped with tools to incorporate in my teaching, I feel more knowledgeable about the agenda of the AACN, and I feel more empowered as a nurse and educator to face challenges that may lie ahead. This was an OUTSTANDING conference!"

"Truly inspired by the work of other educators using basic resources to achieve fantastic learning outcomes. I appreciate the tangible take always."

"Dr. Malone and Dr. McLemore were extremely inspirational. The podium presentations were excellent-topics related to civility and determinants of health were timely and engaging."

For questions, contact the AACN Conference Team today!

Phone: 202-463-6930 | Email: conferences@aacnnursing.org | Website: www.aacnnursing.org/conferences