Back to News AACN Announces Graduate Nursing Students Selected for National Leadership Opportunities Thursday, September 4, 2025 | Press Release, Students Washington, D.C., September 4, 2025 - The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce the graduate nursing students selected to participate in two distinguished leadership initiatives offered through the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). GNSA Leadership Council Following a nationwide call for applications distributed to more than 14,000 GNSA members enrolled in master’s and doctoral nursing programs, seven exceptional students have been appointed to serve two-year terms on the national GNSA Leadership Council. These individuals will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of graduate nursing education and student engagement. Those selected include: Alexa Andersen, Michigan State University Kayce Cordray, Oral Roberts University Courtney Lamb, South College Mahlon Mathieson, Columbia University Gemma O'Donnell, Arizona State University Claire Regan, University of Pennsylvania Megan Scott, University of North Carolina - Wilmington (Pictured from left to right) These newly elected leaders will join three continuing GNSA Leadership Council members and one continuing member serving in an advisor capacity: LCDR Akeeka Davis, Villanova University Gordon Gartrell, University of Mississippi Medical Center Tyler Gaedecke, Columbia University (Advisor) Renee Woodyard, The Ohio State University (Pictured from left to right) “AACN applauds these emerging leaders for their commitment to advancing the GNSA’s mission to serve as the voice for graduate nursing students and to foster collaboration and innovation in academia and practice,” said AACN Board of Directors Chair Dr. Jean Giddens from the University of Kansas. “The Leadership Council plays a critical role in supporting AACN’s work to champion excellence in nursing education, and we applaud their commitment to shaping the future of the nursing profession.” The new members of the Leadership Council will continue to augment the work of the previous council and help develop future strategic goals, plan the annual GNSA conference, and grow the GNSA in terms of membership and engagement. The current council includes two MSN students, three DNP students, and five PhD students, representing a mix of public and private institutions across all regions of the country. To learn more about each member, click here to view their bios. GNSA Digital Innovators Program AACN congratulates the ten student pairs selected to participate in the GNSA Digital Innovators Program, a collaborative initiative with content delivered by Apple. This program focuses on using digital mobile technology in pedagogy to find modern approaches and creative methods for educating the future nursing workforce. Through bi-monthly virtual sessions, participants will work in teams to develop digital content and tools that enhance pedagogy and promote tech-forward learning environments. The 2025-2026 Digital Innovators include: Lissa Boileau and Aarian Irving, Adelphi University Jessica Janssen and Jennifer Spann, Arizona State University Karlee Hedrick and Setareh Yazdani, Belmont University Moselle Jules and Meneko Spigner McBeth, Drexel University Vivian Bowman and Amanda Marten, University of Alabama Melissa Rietz and Stephanie Gasser, University of Arizona Isabel Hamro and Stefanie Lugo, University of Florida Megan Scott and Catherine Thomas, University of North Carolina – Wilmington Heather Downen and Lan Mai, University of San Diego Amy McNicoll and Patricia Swanson, University of Texas Medical Branch The program is being facilitated by Maureen J. Baker, PhD, RN, CHSE, Clinical Associate Professor at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, an Apple Distinguished Educator. To learn more about the program and see the student teams, click here. Membership in the GNSA is free to all graduate nursing students enrolled in AACN member schools. Leadership development is a key component of the GNSA, including opportunities for students to serve as a GNSA Liaison at each school of nursing or as a GNSA Advocacy Leader. To find out more about the GNSA, click here. If you have any questions, contact Marta Okoniewski, Director of Student Engagement at mokoniewski@aacnnursing.org. ### About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research and practice. For more information, visit www.aacnnursing.org. CONTACT: Robert Rosseter rrosseter@aacnnursing.org (202) 463-6930