Quarterly letter from Dean Valerie Howard — Spring 2025

Dear Friends,

This year, we have the distinct joy of celebrating 75 years of Carolina Nursing. Since 1950, our School has been at the forefront of nursing education, research and patient care. As we honor our legacy, we also look ahead with optimism and determination — confident that the future of Carolina Nursing holds extraordinary promise and purpose.

We are in a moment of remarkable transformation, poised to lead our profession into a new era. Together, we are shaping the future of nursing education to better serve our students, our communities, our healthcare partners and the people of North Carolina. As we thoughtfully navigate the shifting landscape of our state and nation, we remain steadfastly committed to advancing health and well-being for all.

Last year, Chancellor Lee Roberts outlined four strategic focus areas for UNC Chapel Hill — enrollment growth, the physical master plan, applied sciences, and artificial intelligence and technology — as part of our continued commitment to Carolina Next. I’m proud to share that Carolina Nursing stands at the heart of these priorities, uniquely equipped to lead and innovate at this critical time.

Our vision is coming to life in bold and tangible ways. We’ve made exciting progress on our new Nursing Education Building and selected a contractor to lead the next phase of construction. We remain on schedule to open our doors in the spring of 2027, and we’re excited to spend the next two years getting ready for our new home. This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to increase our enrollment by 50%, helping to meet the growing demand for exceptional nurse leaders. It will also elevate hands-on learning and foster interprofessional collaboration — critical factors we know improve health outcomes.

At the same time, our remarkable faculty continue to bring the art and science of nursing to life, from promoting wellness within the School and across the profession to advancing scientific discoveries that will create a healthier future for us all. We’re exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which, when guided by human compassion and insight, can strengthen clinical decision-making and better prepare our students for the future of health care.

I’m profoundly grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff at Carolina Nursing, whose expertise, creativity and innovative spirit fuel our progress every day. And to you — our treasured alumni, friends and partners — thank you for your enduring generosity, support and belief in our meaningful work of advancing health for all.

Warmest regards,

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