Letter from Dean Valerie Howard — Summer 2026

Dear Friends,

Brick by brick, beam by beam, we’re building the future of nursing along Columbia Street. Slated to open next fall, our new Nursing Education Building will strengthen our ability to deliver on a vital commitment: preparing more Carolina-trained nurses to serve the people of North Carolina.

We are already making significant progress toward that goal. In just the past 12 months, the School of Nursing increased enrollment for the 2025–26 academic year by an unprecedented 13% across its programs.

This growth reflects our commitment to expanding access to nursing education while providing unmatched learning opportunities for the next generation of health care providers, nurse leaders and scientists who will meet the evolving health care needs of communities across our state.

This summer, we are putting the finishing touches on plans for the building’s state-of-the-art simulation spaces, where students will gain critical hands-on clinical experience using the latest technology. We can’t wait to welcome you into the new facility — and fortunately, that opportunity is just around the corner. Next summer, we will celebrate the building’s dedication and ribbon-cutting, and we look forward to sharing details soon. Beyond the formal ceremony, guests will have the chance to explore the new space, from the simulation labs and makerspace to the student lounge and a new donor-supported art installation.

On the pages of the summer 2026 issue of Carolina Nursing magazine, you’ll read about the people and programs driving this transformative moment for our School. You’ll learn how researchers like Grace Wu are advancing science and improving lives, how initiatives such as our Mobile Health Clinic — celebrating its 10th anniversary — are expanding access to care and meeting communities where they are, and how our alumni continue to strengthen both our School and the nursing profession through their extraordinary leadership and service.

We are here because of you, and we are forever fortunate to have you as part of our community.

Val Howard
EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Dean and Professor