Rounds with Leadership: Engage, Advocate, Serve

AACN is committed to elevating nursing’s voice in shaping the future of higher education and healthcare. We strive to provide meaningful opportunities for members to give back to the profession, build community, and amplify their voices on behalf of the students, patients, and communities they serve.

The association’s effectiveness as the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing  education is driven by our highly engaged membership.  We are grateful to the many individuals who contribute their time and expertise to advancing excellence in academic nursing. Here are a few statistics that tell our story:

• 263 deans serve on the AACN Board of Directors; on Task Forces, Committees, Subcommittees, and Advisory Groups; and as State Grassroots Liaisons.
• 858 faculty and nursing school staff are engaged on Leadership Network Committees as well as regular Committees, Subcommittees, Task Forces, and Advisory Groups.
• 144 graduate students serve on the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Leadership Council and as School Liaisons.  

In all, volunteers from more than 700 AACN member schools - representing all 50 states - are working together to help magnify our impact and meet our collective mission.

As you consider your priorities for the new academic year, we hope you will connect more closely with AACN via the many ways available to engage, advocate, and serve.  Here’s a sampling of current opportunities:

Engage

• Inspire your colleagues to join one of AACN’s eight Leadership Networks, which focus on the professional development and networking needs of faculty; directors of research; faculty practice leaders; nursing advancement professionals; graduate program recruiters; access, connection, and engagement specialists; business officers; and organizational leaders.
• Encourage your master’s and doctoral students to become members of AACN’s Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). Registration is free. Graduate students also are invited to apply to become a GNSA Liaison and serve as a key connection between GNSA and their school. Applications are due September 15.
• Participate in AACN Connect, our online discussion community, and start constructive dialogues with colleagues nationwide.

Advocate

• Complete the OBBBA Impact Survey launched by AACN, the American Council on Education, and other national organizations by August 28. This effort is critical to assessing your school’s experience navigating implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) this fall, including the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans and the new definition of professional degrees.
• While federal policymakers are in their home districts during August recess, we encourage members to take action and send messages to your elected leaders, urging them to support academic nursing. See AACN’s August Advocacy Guide for ways to engage.
• Join AACN’s Grassroots Network to receive timely information on federal policy developments and help us advance legislative priorities.

Serve

• AACN has issued a Call for Nominations for the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee for the 2027 Election. Member deans/directors are needed to fill nine vacancies, including Board Treasurer and Board Member-at-Large. Nomination packets are due October 2.
• Complete AACN’s online questionnaire and let us know your areas of expertise and what your specific interests are in terms of volunteering.
• Apply your critical thinking skills as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Professional Nursing and/or as a Peer-to-Peer Dean Mentor through AACN’s leadership development program for early career nursing school administrators.

We encourage you to share details about AACN’s volunteer opportunities with your colleagues and join us as we work together to strengthen academic nursing.