Quarterly letter from Dean Valerie Howard — Fall 2025

Dear Friends,

This fall, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the UNC School of Nursing, I am filled with both pride and gratitude. Our special edition of Carolina Nursing Quarterly offers a meaningful reflection on our history and the visionary individuals who shaped it, while also shining a light on the bright future that lies ahead.

In this issue, you’ll read about the extraordinary legacies of Elizabeth Scott Carrington and Frances Hill Fox — two remarkable leaders whose determination and generosity laid the foundation for our School. Their story is a powerful reminder of the perseverance and vision that have defined Carolina Nursing from the very beginning.

You’ll also find our “From the Vault” series, which unearths stories from across our history — moments that reveal how far we’ve come and how our mission to advance health for all has remained constant. A visual timeline, “Carolina Nursing through the decades,” captures the milestones and achievements that tell our story of innovation, leadership and service. And, as always, we share our latest news, highlighting the impact our faculty, students and alumni are making here in North Carolina and around the globe.

As we celebrate 75 years of firsts, we honor the extraordinary legacy of those who came before us while embracing a promising, visionary future — one where Carolina Nurses will continue to lead, innovate, and advance health for all. This year, our BSN program was ranked first among public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, affirming our long-standing excellence in nursing education. We continue to grow enrollment to meet the critical nursing workforce needs of our state, and our new assured BSN admissions option will offer a clear, direct pathway to a nursing career after students’ first two years at Carolina.

In an uncertain research landscape, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing nursing science that drives better care, policy and outcomes. At the same time, construction is progressing on our new Nursing Education Building, scheduled for completion in early 2027, which will provide the next generation of nurses with the state-of-the-art learning environment they need to thrive.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without you — our alumni, partners, supporters, faculty, staff and students. Your contributions of time, talent and resources have sustained our School and made us a leader in nursing education, research, service and practice.

With gratitude and excitement for all that’s ahead,

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