Ecosystem Overview: Introduction to the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing
Webinar Details
As healthcare and higher education continue to evolve, this webinar introduces the AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing—a strategic, evidence-informed framework designed to help academic nursing programs align mission, people, and systems to support the success of students, staff, and faculty.
Building on AACN’s 2021 Inclusive Excellence Ecosystem, the updated model advances from awareness to integration. It provides flexible, sustainable strategies that can be adapted across institutional types and contexts. Grounded in AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision, the Ecosystem transforms that vision into action by aligning human experience, operational effectiveness, and institutional culture.
The session will highlight the Ecosystem’s structure—its three interdependent Cores (Human, Operational, and Institutional)—and their associated Conditions that create environments where excellence is both human-centered and systems-driven. Participants will also explore the forthcoming Ecosystem Toolkit, which includes adaptable strategies, real-world scenarios, reflection questions, and a progress scorecard to help nursing programs strengthen infrastructure, enhance teaching and scholarship, and foster environments where all members of the academic nursing community can thrive.
Learning Outcomes:
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Summarize the purpose and evolution of the AACN 2025 Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing.
- Explain how the Ecosystem operationalizes AACN’s Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) vision.
- Describe the framework’s structure, including its three Cores and corresponding Conditions.
- Articulate how the Ecosystem supports success and well-being for students, staff, and faculty.
About the Ecosystem
The AACN Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing is a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework that aligns mission, people, and systems to create environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive.
At its foundation are the Humanistic Conditions—Healthy, Psychologically Safe, Connected, Supported, Valued, and Prepared—that enable individuals to achieve their best. These are integrated through the Ecosystem’s three Cores:
- Human Core, which centers on the Humanistic Conditions that foster well-being and engagement.
- Operational Core, which aligns systems and strategies through five Institutional Conditions: Infrastructure and Capacity, Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, and Community Engagement.
- Institutional Core, which grounds excellence in shared culture through five Cultural Conditions: Mission, Vision, Values, Traditions, and Norms.
The Operational Core is supported by a digital Ecosystem Toolkit that translates the framework into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes, including:
- Strategies that strengthen policies, practices, and structures
- Scenarios illustrating real-world challenges and solutions—each intentionally linked to the Humanistic Conditions of the Ecosystem and aligned with relevant AACN Essentials
- Reflection questions that promote dialogue, planning, and innovation
- Dashboards and planning tools to monitor progress and outcomes
- Curated supporting literature that provides evidence and context for implementation
Note: Recording of the webinar will be available soon after the webinar airs. Visit AACN's On-Demand Webinars to watch.
Speakers
Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Dr. Wanda Thruston, Director of Access and Engagement at AACN, is a national and international leader in academic nursing and advancing fair and just access to health and well-being for all, with expertise in institutional transformation, leadership development, and systems-level strategy. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar Fellow, she brings decades of experience in clinical practice with under-resourced populations, health policy, and academic leadership.
At AACN, Dr. Thruston led the development and implementation of the Ecosystem of Excellence in Academic Nursing, a strategic framework designed to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote the success of students, staff, and faculty. She provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to HRSA-funded nursing schools and AACN member institutions—supporting strategies to expand access, strengthen student achievement, improve the institutional climate, and build academic environments where all individuals feel supported and prepared to succeed.
Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Dean at Indiana University School of Nursing, where she led the development of the Diversity Strategic Plan and co-created a university-wide pathway for DEI faculty promotion. She also led a large-scale assessment of health and well-being for Indiana’s second-largest K–12 district to to inform fair and effective resource allocation that meets the needs of all students. Dr. Thruston is committed to advancing environments where students, staff, and faculty thrive.
Pricing and CE Credit
This webinar is free to deans, faculty, staff and students from AACN member schools of nursing. All non-member audiences will be required to pay a $59 webinar fee.
Continuing Nursing Education
One nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) credit is associated with this webinar; attendees must be present for the entire webinar and complete the evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.