Carolina Nursing celebrates 2026 State of the School address and Topping Off Celebration

October 6, 2026

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the UNC School of Nursing celebrated Dean Valerie Howard’s annual State of the School Address and a Topping off Celebration to mark the completion of the structural framework for the new Nursing Education Building.

For the group of faculty, staff, alumni and guests — including Senator Gale Adcock, MSN ’87, Senator Jonah Garson and Representative Renée Price — gathered for the presentation, Howard reflected on the School’s accomplishments over the past year and shared the School’s vision for the future, including responsible growth in both student enrollment and in faculty and staff to support them, as well as achievements in research discovery and funding, philanthropy, student success and progress on the new Nursing Education Building.

Howard said growth at Carolina Nursing begins with a strong foundation of excellence and noted the School’s progress in the three main areas of its strategic plan: responsible growth, collective well-being and relational health, and operational excellence.

“Our three strategic priorities are not separate bodies of work. They reinforce one another,” said Howard. “We grow responsibly by investing in people and relationships; we support people by creating strong and sustainable systems; and together, those efforts increase our ability to fulfill our mission to advance health for all.”

After the address, guests, including Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Magnus Egerstedt, gathered outside Carrington Hall for a Topping Off Celebration. They added their signatures to a Carolina blue structural beam and enjoyed ice cream and nacho bars before watching a crane lift the final structural beam into place at the top of the building.

“Carolina Nursing is growing — in our programs, our research, our reach, and the number of students we are preparing to serve the people of North Carolina. And that growth requires a home that can support where we’re headed,” said Howard at the event. “This building will give our students new spaces to learn, practice and collaborate; expand our capacity for simulation and experiential learning; and give Carolina Nursing a home truly designed for the future of nursing education.”

To learn more about the new building, which is slated to open in Fall 2027, visit our Building the Future of nursing site.

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