AACN Governance

AACN is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, 11 of whom represent a member institution, and 2 of whom represent nursing practice. AACN's President and CEO also serves as an ex-officio member of the Board. The Association convenes various committees including Board Committees (Executive, Governance, Finance, and Audit Committees), Nominating Committee, and Advisory Committees including Access, Connection, and Engagement, Government Affairs, Membership, and Program Subcommittees, and establishes Task Forces and Advisory Groups as needed to focus on topics of critical concern.

Board of Directors

  • Jean Giddens

    Chair, 2024-2026
    Jean Giddens, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
    University of Kansas

  • Julie Sanford

    Chair-Elect, 2024-2026
    Julie Sanford, DNS, RN, FAAN
    The University of Alabama

  • Victoria Niederhauser

    Secretary, 2024-2026 (first term)
    Victoria Niederhauser, DrPH, RN, FAAN
    University of Tennessee Knoxville

  • Judith Karshmer

    Treasurer, 2025-2027 (second term)
    Judith Karshmer, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, RN, FAAN
    Arizona State University

  • Stephen Cavanagh

    Member-at-Large, 2024-2026 (second term)
    Stephen Cavanagh, PhD, MPA, RN, FACHE, FAAN
    University of California-Davis

  • Lorna Finnegan

    Member-at-Large, 2025-2027 (second term)
    Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN
    Loyola University Chicago

  • Eileen Fry-Bowers

    Member-at-Large, 2025-2026 (first term)
    Eileen Fry-Bowers, PhD, RN, FAAN
    University of San Francisco

  • Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow

    Member-at-Large, 2025-2027 (first term)
    Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, ANEF, FNAP, FAAN
    Duquesne University

  • Rhoberta Haley

    Member-at-Large, 2024-2026 (second term)
    Rhoberta Haley, PhD, RN, FNP
    Pacific Lutheran University

  • Valerie Howard

    Member-at-Large, 2025-2027 (first term)
    Valerie Howard, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Kimberly Hunter

    Practice Member-at-Large, 2024-2026 (first term)
    Kimberly Hunter, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
    Iowa Health Care

  • Shannon Bright Smith

    Member-at-Large, 2025-2027(first term)
    Shannon Bright Smith, PhD
    Florida A&M University

  • Julie Swann

    Practice Member-at-Large, 2025-2027 (second term)
    Julie Swann, MBA, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC
    Emory Saint Joseph Hospital

  • Deborah Trautman

    President and Chief Executive Officer (ex officio)
    Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FAAN
    American Association of Colleges of Nursing

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How to Volunteer with AACN

AACN Member deans/directors and faculty wishing to explore volunteer leadership opportunities within the organization are invited to register their interest by completing their Volunteer Profile, located in your MyAACN Dashboard under "Update My Account".

Sign Up to Volunteer

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Committees and Task Forces

AACN's committees and task forces work to further the readiness of nursing education and nursing research for a changing health care environment. Task forces are appointed by the Board as issues arise that require study and action.

Call for Nominations for 2026 Election

AACN is seeking nominations for the following positions on the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee:

  • Board Chair-Elect
  • Board Secretary
  • Board Member-at-Large (3 vacancies)
  • Practice Board Member-at-Large (1 vacancy)
  • Nominating Committee (2 vacancies)

The nomination packet for the 2026 Election can be completed online here or can be submitted via email. If you would like to submit the materials via email, please reach out to AACNnominations@aacnnursing.org.

Access the Nomination Packet

The due date for nominations for this election is Friday, October 3.