Doctoral Education Conference

Program Agenda

Program subject to change.

Monday, January 11 – PhD Pre-Conference

Designed specifically for deans and associate deans from schools offering research-focused doctoral nursing programs or those planning a new program to explore challenges and solutions germane to PhD education.

This is a separate event. Learn more and register for the PhD Pre-Conference here.

Monday, January 11 – Faculty Practice Pre-Conference

This event is hosted by AACN’s Practice Leadership Network (PLN), a network for individuals involved in promoting, administering, and engaging in faculty practice. Emphasis is being placed on the need for practice savvy educators who can translate current healthcare environment scenarios to the classroom at every level.

This is a separate event. Learn more and register for the PLN Program here.

Tuesday, January 12 – Research Leadership Network (RLN) Program

This program is hosted annually by AACN’s Research Leadership Network (RLN), a network specifically for faculty who have leadership roles facilitating research within their nursing programs. The key focus of this program lies on advancing nursing science with cutting-edge research methods.

This is a separate event. Learn more and register for the RLN Program here.

January 12

Time	Session
12:00–5:00 p.m.	Registration Open
1:00–5:15 p.m.	Exhibitor Showcase Open Explore a dynamic showcase of innovative products, services, and solutions designed to support your school of nursing. Discover new resources and connect with potential strategic partners who can help address institutional challenges and advance your mission.
1:00–6:30 p.m.	Poster Showcase Open
1:00–1:45 p.m.	First-Time Attendee Meet & Greet Hosted by the AACN Doctoral Education Conference Planning Subcommittee
2:00–2:30 p.m.	Welcome and Awards
2:30–3:30 p.m.	Opening Plenary The Sound of High Performance: Using Music to Supercharge Creativity and Focus Stressed, overwhelmed, uninspired… Today’s workers face countless challenges to stay creative and productive amid countless distractions and fierce pressures. But there is an ancient remedy: Music! In this energizing and interactive keynote, Dr. Gasser shows how music can be a game-changing tool for unlocking flow, sharpening focus and boosting team creativity. Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-world applications, he equips audiences with science-backed strategies for using music to increase productivity, enhance emotional well-being, and create high-performing environments.
4:00–5:00 p.m.	Plenary
5:00–6:30 p.m.	AACN Networking Reception with Poster Presentations
7:00 p.m.	Coronado Walk-and-Talk with AACN President and CEO

January 13

Time	Session
6:00–7:00 a.m.	Running and Walking Groups (optional)
7:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.	AACN Registration Open
7:00–9:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.	Exhibitor Showcase Open Explore a dynamic showcase of innovative products, services, and solutions designed to support your school of nursing. Discover new resources and connect with potential strategic partners who can help address institutional challenges and advance your mission.
7:30–8:30 a.m.	Breakfast Forums Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network (ACELN) Forum Join colleagues to meet, greet, and network with other ACE members and potential members. You will have the opportunity to meet the steering committee and other members you may have only met or worked with virtually. Learn about the activities of ACELN and share thoughts on future engagement activities. All are welcome to attend. PhD/DNS & DNP Award Podium Abstract Presentations Hear from the 2026 Outstanding PhD/DNS Dissertation and DNP Project Award Recipients about their ground-breaking research and practice innovations. Practice Leadership Network (PLN) Breakfast Forum Come meet with members of the Practice Leadership Network (PLN) at our annual networking breakfast. During this time, we’ll discuss the role of the PLN, brainstorm ideas for future educational sessions to meet the needs of our network and share opportunities to become involved in PLN events. All are welcome to attend. Research Leadership Network (RLN) Breakfast Forum Come meet with members of the Research Leadership Network (RLN) at our annual networking breakfast. During this time, we’ll discuss the role of the RLN, brainstorm ideas for future educational sessions to meet the needs of our network and share opportunities to become involved in RLN events. All are welcome to attend.
7:30–8:30 a.m.	Essentials Champion Breakfast Meeting This informal gathering for breakfast and Essentials conversation is for each school’s one Dean-designated Essentials Champion. If your school’s Dean-designated Essentials Champion is not attending the Doctoral Education Conference, one individual from your school may represent the school and attend the breakfast session. Please come with questions, informal conversation, and plans to meet Dean-designated Essentials Champions from other schools! For designated Essentials Champions
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Podium Abstract Presentations* AACN’s version of TED Talks! Each presenter has 15 minutes to present key insights, followed by 5 minutes for audience Q&A, making these sessions fast-paced and idea-rich.
9:00–10:00 a.m.	D³ - Deep-Dive Discussion
10:30–11:30 a.m.	D³ - Deep-Dive Discussion
12:00–2:00 p.m.	Lunch (on your own)
12:30–1:30 p.m.	Lunch Forums (bring your lunch) Forum for Associate Deans for Research This facilitated discussion is intended specifically for associate deans/directors at research-intensive schools receiving significant research funding. The agenda is focused on issues particularly relevant to these types of programs and personnel, although all are welcome to attend. Forum for DNP Program Directors This facilitated informal discussion is intended specifically for DNP program directors. The agenda is focused on issues particularly relevant to these types of programs and personnel, although all are welcome to attend. Forum for PhD Program Directors This facilitated discussion is intended specifically for PhD program directors. The agenda is focused on the AACN's PhD Pathways initiative and issues particularly relevant to the research-focused doctorate. All are welcome to attend.
12:30–1:30 p.m.	NursingCAS Luncheon A Demonstration of AACN’s Student Application and Admissions Management Portal Discover NursingCAS, AACN’s student application service that provides member colleges with a free, online platform to efficiently manage all aspects of the admission process. Using this service, schools are able to streamline their recruitment operations, gain access to powerful enrollment management software, expand their customer service capacity, and reach a national applicant pool. Learn why nearly 300 colleges of nursing used NursingCAS during the last enrollment cycle to process more than 115,000 nursing school applications. Pre-registration required here. Limited seating available. Pre-Registration required. More information coming soon
2:00–3:00 p.m.	Emerging Solutions These immersive learning sessions dive deep into practical strategies for addressing academic nursing needs, blending expert insights, real-world case studies, peer-to-peer learning, and dynamic interaction.
3:30–4:30 p.m.	Emerging Solutions These immersive learning sessions dive deep into practical strategies for addressing academic nursing needs, blending expert insights, real-world case studies, peer-to-peer learning, and dynamic interaction.

January 14

Time	Session
6:00–7:00 a.m.	Running and Walking Groups (optional)
7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	AACN Registration Open
7:00–9:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
7:30–8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Conversations New Dean Dialogue New deans are invited to this informal dialogue to hear about the AACN resources helping you boost your leadership journey. Come ask your questions, connect with peers, and embrace the unique opportunity to engage in thought-provoking in-person conversation. AACN LEADS: Your Path to Leadership Excellence Learn how AACN empowers faculty at every stage of their leadership journey with diverse learning opportunities tailored for new, early-career, and experienced deans, associate deans, program directors, and faculty.
9:00–10:30 a.m.	Panel Discussion
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Closing Plenary Practical Optimism for Doctoral Nursing Leadership: Advancing Well-Being, Resilience, and Impact As doctoral nursing education continues to evolve, leaders are called to cultivate resilience, sustain well-being, and prepare the next generation of scholars and practice innovators to thrive in complex academic and healthcare environments. In this closing plenary, Dr. Sue Varma will draw on her expertise in psychiatry, mental health, and practical optimism to offer evidence-informed strategies for strengthening personal and collective well-being. Through her “4 Ms of Mental Health”—mindfulness, mastery, movement, and meaningful engagement—Dr. Varma will provide a hopeful and actionable framework for navigating stress, preventing burnout, and leading with purpose. This session will leave participants energized to advance doctoral education with clarity, compassion, and renewed commitment to impact.

Continuing Education

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.

For questions, contact the AACN Conference Team today!

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