AACN ACE Position Statement Task Force

The charge of the AACN ACE Position Statement Task Force is as follows:

  1. Review Evidence and Best Practices
    • Examine research literature on educational access, student engagement, mentorship, and inclusive teaching.
    • Analyze and connect to the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing.
  2. Define Key Concepts and Scope
    • Clearly articulate what AACN means by “access,” “connection,” and “engagement.”
    • Establish the boundaries and priorities of the position statement.
  3. Draft Recommendations and Strategies
    • Align recommendations with AACN competencies and national standards.
  4. Build Consensus Within the Task Force
    • Facilitate discussion to refine language, ensure clarity, and achieve agreement on recommendations and AACN’s official position.
  5. Seek External Review
    • Share the draft with subject-matter experts, leaders, educators, and practice partners for feedback.
    • Incorporate revisions based on expert review.
  6. Finalize the Position Statement
    • Edit for clarity, evidence support, and alignment with AACN mission.
    • Prepare executive summaries, key messages, and supporting materials.

Guiding Principles

  1. AACN values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging forms the foundation of our work.
  2. As the ACE Position Statement Task Force, we will address the most complicated and difficult issues surrounding access, connection, and engagement.
  3. The voices and perspectives of all AACN community members and schools, especially those with lived experience, guide our recommendations/revisions.
  • Angela Richard-Eaglin

    Angela Richard-Eaglin, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP

    Chair
    Associate Dean for Equity
    Yale University
    arichardeaglin@msm.edu

  • Devon Berry

    Devon M. Berry, PhD, RN

    Director, Associate Professor
    Sam Houston State University
    devonmberry@shsu.edu

     

  • Shelitha Campbell

    Shelitha Campbell, DNP, MSN, BSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PHN, HMCT

    Associate Professor
    Samuell Merritt University
    scampbell@samuelmerritt.edu

     

  • Rana Najjar

    Rana Najjar, PhD, RN, CPNP

    Associate Professor
    Oregon Health & Science University
    najjar@ohsu.edu

     

  • Tyler Traister

    Tyler D. Traister, DNP, RN, NE-BC NPD-BC, CNE, CTN-A, OCN, MEDSURG-BC

    Assistant Professor of Nursing
    Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs
    Quinnipiac University
    Tyler.Traister@quinnipiac.edu

     

  • Destiny Brady

    Destiny Brady, PhD, RN, CCRN

    Associate Professor
    Saint Anslem College
    dbrady@anselm.edu

     

  • Nancy Dias

    Nancy Dias, PhD, RN, MSN, FPCN

    Associate Professor
    East Carolina University
    diasn17@ecu.edu

  • Mario Ortiz

    Mario Ortiz, PhD

    AACN ACE Committee Member Representative
    Dean
    Binghamton University
    mortiz@binghamton.edu

  • Shannon Bright Smith

    Shannon Bright Smith, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FAAN

    AACN Board Representative
    Dean and Professor, School of Nursing
    Florida A&M University
    Shannon.smith@famu.edu